Fajr Holds Blues; Fanaei Blunder Costs Reds Dear

TEHRAN- Fajr-e Sepassi and Barq, two Shiraz-based giantkillers, had brilliant performances in the 20th week clashes of Iran Pro League Tuesday as the former held leader Esteqlal of Tehran and the latter stunned Pirouzi with a surprising win.

Visitor Esteqlal fought against struggling Fajr to a nil-nil draw.

Both sides missed scoring opportunities and also tied at number of yellow cards as three players of Esteqlal, Mohammad Navazi, Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi and Ahmad Mo'menzadeh, and three players of Fajr, Samad Zare', Seyed Mehdi Hosseini and Mahmoud Khorramzi, were booked.

Know as blues, Esteqlal of Tehran still leads the table with 39 points.

In Tehran, Pirouzi that was seeking a win to surpass Esteqlal was shocked by an unexpected defeat.

Playing in front of around 10 thousand fans on the pitch of Azadi Stadium, the error-prone Pirouzi lost to Barq 1-0, helping the blues widen the gap.

One minute into the second half, the reds' keeper Davoud Fanaei made a blunder as he threw the ball for left winger Ali Ansarian, who never reached the ball and Barq striker Ehtesham Sassanian stole the ball and patted in from close range.

Ansarian received his marching orders in the 90th minute for the second bookable offense.

Collecting 37 points, Pirouzi is at the second place.

In other matches, Abu Moslem beat Paykan 3-1 while Malavan defeated Foulad-e Sepahan 1-0, Foulad of Khuzestan was beaten by Pas 2-1, Esteqlal of Rasht overcame Tractor Sazi 2-0 and Saipa beat Zob Ahan 2-1.

On Saturday, Pirouzi and Pas clash in Azadi Stadium.

On Sunday, Esteqlal of Rasht will host Saipa and visitor Abu Moslem meets Malavan. Home team, Zob Ahan of Isfahan, fields its players against Fajr and Barq is to fight against Sepahan in Shiraz. Tractor Sazi of Tabriz and guest team, Paykan, play in Takhti Stadium and visitor Foulad of Khuzestan meets Esteqlal of Tehran.