IPL title race stretched to last derby as reds and blues win

Tehran, May 25, IRNA -- Race for snatching the first Iran Pro League (IPL) trophy was stretched to the last week as the two popular teams, Esteqlal and Pirouzi known as blues and reds won their penultimate matches.
Pirouzi beat Saipa 4-2 Thursday and Esteqlal defeated Paykan 1-0 Friday.
In front of an attendance of over 10 thousand spectators, the two Tehrani sides of Pirouzi and Saipa clashed on the bumpy pitch of Azadi Stadium, western Tehran, in the 25th week.
The reds' playmaker Hamed Kavianpour unleashed a sizzling shot in the 19th minute bounced back by crossbar and fullback Ali Ansarian played a free-kick passing above Saipa woodwork.
Ref Khodadad Afsharian booked Hossein Kazemi, who offered a penalty in the 30th minute for a handball in the box.
Ansarian put his side ahead from the spot kick. Saipa was forced to take the ball out of the net two minutes later as Amir-Hossein Aslanian's drive from a tight angle kissed the net.
The gap reduced to minimum five minutes from the break. National forward Javad Kazemian dribbling past Pirouzi defender Behrouz Rahbari-Fard made it 2-1 from a close range.
Saipa skipper Mohammad Soltani stunned Pirouzi and silenced supporters with an unstoppable kick finding top left corner of keeper Farshid Karimi's net in the 50th minute.
Struggling Saipa reduced to 10 men in the 60th minute when Kazemi was judged to have brought down Pejman Jamshidi behind the area and received his marching orders.
Advancing Ansarian headed home to go the reds in the dugout and on the seat wild with applause and Aslanian wrapped up the defeat for Saipa with another header, giving his side a 4-2 win.
Collecting 46 points, Pirouzi is at the second place of table.
Esteqlal of Tehran badly needed three points Friday to eye IPL title with certainty.
Unmarked in the penalty area, blues' striker Faraz Fatemi rose in the 15th minute to slot home an Alireza Akbarpour cross with a header.

Esteqlal secured its sole goal to lead the table with 48 points.
In other matches, Fajr-e Sepassi and Foulad of Khuzestan tied 1-1 and relegation-bound Esteqlal of Rasht and Sepahan also fought to a 1-1 draw.
Abu Moslem overcame Zob Ahan 2-1 and Tractor Sazi, the second relegated side, was routed 3-nil by Barq.
Pas shocked Malavan with five goals and won the derby 5-0.
Winning 43 points, Pas retained third place and Sepahan having one less point follows Pas. Fixtures of 26th week (last week) of Iran Pro League are as follows. Host teams come first.
Tuesday, May 29, 5 pm
Pirouzi vs. Fajr-e Sepassi in Tehran Azadi Stadium
Paykan vs. Zob Ahan in Tehran Takhti Stadium
Malavan vs. Esteqlal in Bandar Anzali Takhti Stadium
Sepahan vs. Saipa in Isfahan Bahman 22 Stadium
Foulad vs. Tractor Sazi in Ahvaz Takhti Stadium
Barq vs. Pas in Shiraz Hafezieh Stadium
Abu Moslem vs. Esteqlal of Rasht in Mashhad Takhti Stadium