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.
