IRNA - The blue-clad Esteqlal of the southern
capital Ahvaz came from one goal down to seal a 2-1 home win over Abu Moslem
in their rescheduled fifth-week match of the sixth Iran Pro League Sunday
night.
The visitor possessed the ball and field in the first half, taking the lead
from the penalty spot on 19 minutes.
Esteqlal fullback Reza Jalali-Sabet brought down Reza Nassehi, prompting
referee Massoud Moradi to show the spot. Saeid Khani converted the
spot-kick.
Once Abu Moslem manager Firouz Karimi, however, steered the blues toward a
badly needed victory.
Striker Fereydoun Fazli carried the ball on the right flank five minutes
into the second half before his perfect cross was headed home by former
national defender Ali Badavi.
Supported by more than 7,000 aficionados in Takhti Stadium, Esteqlal heaped
pressure on the Mashhad-based visitor's woodwork until it scored the winner
through Mojtaba Shiri who found the net in a melee in the 68th minute.
The win helped Esteqlal move to the third place with 12 points out of six
matches.
