Esfahan sides on top in Iran

AFC – Sepahan and Zob Ahan sit atop the Iran Pro League with a maximum nine points after three rounds of matches following 2-0 wins by the Esfahan sides in their latest fixtures.

Sepahan, the 2003 league champions, maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a 2-0 win over the reigning champions Foolad. Jalal Akbari netted both of Sepahan’s goals, opening the scoring after 10 minutes before converting a penalty nine minutes from time to seal the victory.

Foolad have begun poorly in the defence of their title and lie bottom of the table after losing their first two matches of the campaign.

Zob Ahan handed Rah-Ahan their second straight loss with a 2-0 win over the newly-promoted side, Mehdi Rajabzadeh and Reza Azizi netting the goal for last season’s league runners-up.

Pas, who have a maximum six points after two games, did not play their scheduled match against Pirouzi on the weekend as they are focusing on their AFC Champions League quarter-final showdown with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. The 2004 Iran Pro League champions host the second leg in Tehran on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw in the UAE last week.

Esteghlal and newly promoted Shahid Ghandi also sit on six points after recording their second wins of the season. Esteghlal edged hosts Malavan 3-2, while Ghandi scored a 2-1 win at Fajr-Sepasi.

In other games, AbuMoslem and Saba Battery played out a goalless draw, Esteghlal Ahvaz drew 1-1 with Bargh, and Saipa edged Shamooshak 2-1.