IPL round-up, week 13

IRNA - IRAN, Right-winger Javad Kazemian grabbed a late winner to inspire the red-shirted Persepolis into a priceless 1-0 victory over the visiting Esteqlal of southern city of Ahvaz in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Azadi Stadium, west of Tehran, Friday.

Keeper Nader Ghobeyshavi denied the reds four times, but he finally conceded a goal in a swift counterattack. Midfielder Mehrzad Ma'danchi spotted Kazemian with a curling cross in the area four minutes from time and he found the net with a spectacular header.

The victory sent Persepolis to the eighth place with 17 points and one hand in match.

Fajr sees off Sepahan

An early goal from Morteza Khanzadeh helped the home team Fajr-e Sepassi beat high-flight Sepahan 1-0 in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Hafezieh Stadium in the southern capital Shiraz Friday.

Gholam-Reza Rezaei raced to the left before Khanzadeh drilled in his inswinging cross with a perfect header in the ninth minute.

Fajr lies in the 10th spot on 15 points and Sepahan stands fifth with 20 points.

Pas, Barq fight to scoreless draw

Pas and the visiting Barq struggled to a goalless tie in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium, west of Tehran, Friday.

Pas came close to the opener 20 minutes after the interval when national striker Arash Borhani unleashed a goal-bound drive, which was superbly saved by keeper Reza Haj-Osbouei.

The visitor could also grab the winner 10 minutes from normal time. A powerful shot from national defender Sattar Zare' hit the crossbar after shaving keeper Hassan Roudbarian's hand.

Pas occupies the third spot with 22 points and one match in hand and the Shiraz-based Barq is in the 13th place on 14 points.

Promoted Qandi beats Malavan

Promoted Shahid Qandi extracted a 1-0 home win over Malavan in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Shahid Nassiri Stadium in the central capital Yazd Friday.

The home side capitalized on a defending blooper from Ali Zad-Zeynal in the 66th minute, scoring the sole goal of the match.

Ja'far Fouladi stole the ball, feeding Behshad Yavarzadeh behind the box and the striker found the net after his two-drive attempt.

Despite the win, Qandi sticks to the 14th place on 14 points and Malavan is in the 11th place with 15 points.

Esteqlal holds holder Foulad

The capital's Esteqlal held holder Foulad to a nil-nil tie in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Takhti Stadium in the southern city of Abadan Friday.

The in-form keeper Vahid Taleblou was key to one point the visiting Esteqlal eked out of the eagerly awaited game. The budding goalie twice denied national defender Hossein Ka'bi in man-to-man challenges.

Esteqlal, in spite of the draw, extends its leadership on 25 points and Foulad lies in the sixth place with 19 points.

Saba hands Zob home defeat

Saba Battery gave Zob Ahan a 1-0 home defeat in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Fouladshahr Stadium in central capital Isfahan Friday.

National skipper Ali Daei rose unmarked to head a Mohammad Navazi trademark cross in the 52nd minute, which was followed by a blunder from Mohammad Salsali and scoring by Robert Marcusi, who poked home the rebound from close range.

Zob Ahan is is the fourth place with 21 points and Saba moves to seventh spot on 18 points.

Bottom-placed Shamoushak, Abu Moslem tie

Bottom-placed Shamoushak and Abu Moslem gained one point each in the 13th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Shohada Stadium in northern city of Noshahr Friday.

The home team Shamoushak deserved the victory but the visitor's goalie Mehdi Sabeti and defender Reza Moslemzadeh, once Shamoushak player, denied the northern side.

Shamoushak is in the rock bottom, 16th spot, with meager 10 points and Abu Moslem in the 15th place on 11 points.