Blues extract victory in family fight; reds past Paykan

Mehdi Vaezi after Match

Tehran - IRNA - Two old archrivals, Esteqlal and Pirouzi, kept their close competitions alive Sunday as both popular sides won their matches 1-0 in the 18th week of Iran Pro League.
In a family derby, visitor Esteqlal of Tehran -- known as blues -- and Esteqlal of Rasht clashed on the water-drenched pitch of Azodi Stadium.
The blues that needed three points to secure their leadership scored the winner in the 72nd minute as substitute striker Ali Mousavi patted in a Faraz Fatemi header landing on the goalmouth.
Table-topper Esteqlal of Tehran has 37 points and Esteqlal of Rasht has collected 11 points out of 18 matches.
In another match in Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Pirouzi beat struggling Paykan in front of just 10 thousand spectators.
The reds' defender, Behrouz Rahbarifar, dived to head home a cross from Khan-Mohammadi in the 64th minute.
Pirouzi was deprived of a penalty as the referee, Rahim Rahimi-Moqaddam, ignored a Saeid Lotfi handball in the penalty area, 
deflecting Barzegar's superb cross for striker Behnam Abolqassem-Pour in the 71st minute.
In other matches on Sunday , Abu Moslem of Mashhad defeated visitor Sepahan of Isfahan 4-3 and the home side Foulad of Khuzestan overcame Malavan of Anzali one-nil.
Winning 36 points, Pirouzi follows Esteqlal.

Barzegar against Tahmasebi from Peykan

The full results are as follows:

Saipa vs Pas Tehran 0-1 "Khatibi 65"
Perspolis vs Peykan Tehran 1-0 "Rahbarifard 65"
Esteghlal-Rasht vs Esteghlal Rasht 0-1 Rasht "Mousavi 70"
Foolad vs Malavan 1-0 Ahvaz "Gomohamadi 18"
Fajr-Sepasi vs Bargh Shiraz 0-0
Zob-Ahan vs Teraktorsazi Esfahan 1-0 "Sahebi 45"
Aboomoslem vs Sepahan Mashahd 3-4 "Rajabi 30 Mosali 36 Enayati 55 Rostami 60" "Basirat 17 Bezik 48,92"

Behnam Abolghasempor

Fixtures of matches in the 19th week are as follows: 
Thursday, April 25 
Pas vs. Fajr-e Sepassi at 04:00 pm in Azadi Stadium 
Friday, March 26 
Paykan vs. Sepahan at 03:30 pm in Azadi Stadium
Esteqlal of Tehran vs. Saipa at 05:30 pm in Azadi Stadium
Malavan vs. Pirouzi at 03:00 pm in Bandar Anzali
Zob Ahan vs. Esteqlal of Rasht at 04:00 pm in Isfahan
Tractor Sazi vs. Abu Moslem at 04:00 pm in Tabriz
Barq vs. Foulad of Khuzestan at 04:00 pm in Shiraz