Persepolis closes in on top spot

IRNA - Persepolis provisionally stuck to the heels of Iran Pro League leader Zob Ahan as it extended winning streak in Azadi Stadium in western Tehran Sunday.
The red-clad Persepolis extracted a badly-needed win over the die-hard Saipa with the sole goal of the 13th-week match four minutes from the normal time.
Persepolis German manager Rainer Zobel should pat keeper Mohammad Mohammadi on the back for his superb performance.
The budding goalie, who saved and palmed away scores of goal-bound shots during the derby, made a blunder in the 33rd minute when he quit the woodwork and let veteran midfielder Amir-Hossein Youssefi send the
ball over his hands with a delightful loop, which was bounced back by the adrenaline-pumped Ali Ansarian in the goalmouth.
Youssefi`s curling free-kick dangerously passed the far post two minutes later, freezing over 10 thousand partisan reds chilling in the stands.
Persepolis striker Javad Kazemian, who had a craving for scoring, saw his drive touch the roof of the net on 53 minutes.
The fast-paced forward missed a gilt-edged chance in the 57th minute, kicking the ball wide above the crossbar from close range.
Persepolis and Saipa were stripped of skippers on 76 minutes when Saipa captain hit Behrouz Rahbarifard with his elbow and the red player stretched his leg to kick his counterpart with the cleats.
The duo received their marching orders from the referee Mohsen Qahremani.
But the event bode well for the reds.
Kazemian`s inswinging free-kick in the 86th minute found the unmarked Alireza Emamifar in the six-yard area, leaving him alone with keeper Rahman Ahmadi to beat.
The dramatic victory helped Persepolis promote from the fourth place to the second slot on 25 points, one shy of the table-topper Zob`s.
Persepolis secures the spot in case Fajr-e Sepassi beats or holds the third-placed Foulad in their postponed game in Shiraz.
Foulad has garnered 24 points.
The Football Federation has yet to reschedule the match.
In another Sunday`s match, the home team Pegah and the Isfahan-based Zob Ahan fought to a goalless draw in Shahid Azodi Stadium in the northern city of Rasht.