Iran-Football-Pro League Fifth Iran Pro League fourth-week matches

IRNA - The fourth-week matches of the 16-team fifth Iran Pro League on Thursday and Friday:
(Note: The last fourth-week match is held between Pas and Malavan in Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium, west of Tehran, Saturday afternoon).

SHAMOUSHAK SINKS REDS
Persepolis mugged down in north as the red-shirted side conceded its first loss to home team Shamoushak in Shohada Stadium, Noshahr, Friday .

The capital's old team lies in the 15th spot on meager two points from two draws.

Shamoushak, which was denied by the crossbar in the third minute, opened the scoring one minute after the interval as skipper Esfandiar Mohseni rounded in the box to target the visitor's net with a powerful left drive.

The northerners doubled their scoring on 57 minutes. Tore Antonio, Persepolis new signing from Panama, brought down Ali Azari and Mohammad Jabbarpour converted the penalty kick.

Persepolis pulled one back following a blunder by Esmaeil Gharavi in the 72nd minute. Ali Alizadeh, who combined with Mehrzad Ma'danchi, dived to head home from close range.

But the reds failed to level the match.

Persepolis has one match in hand as its clash against Pas was postponed due to an AFC Champions League game.

ABU MOSLEM HOLDS ESTEQLAL AT HOME
Abu Moslem of northeastern capital city of Mashhad held the capital-based Esteqlal to a scoreless tie in Azadi Stadium west of Tehran, Friday.

Esteqlal made scores of attacks on the visitor's woodwork,but it failed to find the net.

The draw handed Esteqlal the fourth place in the table on seven points while Abu Moslem occupies the 13th slot with three points.

HUMILIATED HOLDER SEALS FIRST VICTORY
Holder Foulad snatched its first victory after three straight defeats over the visiting Fajr-e Sepassi in Takhti Stadium in Abadan Friday.

National right winger Hossein Ka'bi dribbled past two defenders before putting Foulad ahead with a shot from a tight angle in the 27th minute.

A well-flighted cross from national midfielder Iman Mob'ali on 42 minutes found Pejman Montazeri, whose back-heel kick kissed the net.

The southern side completed Fajr rout two minutes into stoppage time after interval when Lefteh Hamidi cleared his two markers to hit the third.

The 3-0 win helped Foulad move from rock bottom to the 12th spot on three points.

Fajr sticks to the 16th place with two points.

10-MAN SAIPA FIGHTS TO STALEMATE AGAINST QANDI
Saipa, which was reduced to 10 men after the expulsion of Hossein Me'mar in the 45th minute, struggled to a nil-nil draw against promoted Shahid Qandi in Shahid Nassirinia Stadium, Yazd.

The capital's Saipa, which is known for its defensive game plan, extracted a point in its away match.

Saipa stands eighth on four points and Qandi lies in fifth place with a seven-point asset.

SHIRI EARLY GOAL GIVES BARQ WIN OVER RAH AHAN
Mehdi Shiri scored the sole goal of the match in the seventh minute to hand the home team Barq a 1-0 victory over controversially promoted Rah Ahan in Hafezieh Stadium in the southern capital city of Shiraz.

Mohammad Motavvari was tripped in the box and Shiri grabbed the winner from the spot kick.

Barq is in the seventh place with five points and Tehran's Rah Ahan has three points, standing 14th.

ZOB WINS DERBY, CEMENTS TOP POSITION
Zob Ahan emerged winner in the eagerly awaited derby against Sepahan in Fouladshahr Stadium, isfahan, Thursday.

The home side opened the scoring after 17 minutes as Esmaeil Farhadi well fed by Hassan Ashjari dribbled past Mohsen Bengar to fire home.

Zob celebrated the second two minutes deep into the additional time. A great number of fans had left the stadium when Keyvan Sajedi beat Sepahan keeper Armenak Petrossian in a man-to-man challenge.

With perfect 12 points, Zob Ahan is on top, with Sepahan sticking to its heels with nine points.

SOUTH ESTEQLAL TROUNCES SABA
Esteqlal of Ahvaz struck four to thrash Saba Battery 4-0 in Shahid Derakhshan, Sabashahr, Thursday.

Fereydoun Fazli converted a penalty kick on 12 minutes to give the visitor a 1-0 lead before the two sides went to the locker rooms.

Saba battery was stunned after the break with three more goals.

Adrian Alvez grabbed his double in the 67 and 70 minutes and Amir Khalifeh-Asl found the net for the fourth time two minutes from normal time.

Esteqlal is in the third spot with seven points and Saba Battery is in the 10th place with four points.