Resurgent Esteqlal edges past Barq

IRNA - The capital's Esteqlal came from one-goal deficit to snatch an away 2-1 win over Barq in the 10th week of the sixth Iran Pro League in Shiraz, southern Fars Province, Tuesday.

Under Bijan Zolfaqarnassab, Barq had a dream start in the packed Hafezieh Stadium, taking the lead after six minutes when striker Mohammad Matouri beat Esteqlal keeper Vahid Taleblou with a low drive.

The home side's lead was, however, short-lived as Esteqlal forward Asghar Talebnassab capitalized on a defending blunder from Mojtaba Ensafi, dribbling past the Croat goalie Miroslav Hill to find empty net from close range.

Barq's error-prone defense line paid the price eight minutes from the interval in a carbon-copy attack as striker Siavash Akbarpour beat the hapless keeper to celebrate the winner with a pat-in.

Esteqlal should have widened the gap in the 61st minute, but striker Ali Alizadeh unmarked in the 5.5-yard box failed to score.

The visitor was reduced to 10 men three minutes from normal time as defender Pirouz Qorbani received his marching orders from the referee Mohsen Qahremani for tripping the Barq player in a swift counterattack .

The match could turn sour on 89 minutes. Ensafi targeted the Esteqlal player's chest with the studs like a karateka and was red-carded.

Esteqlal, however, missed the second player, Akbarpour, who rushed to the scene and wildly pushed Ensafi.

In other matches, Esteqlal of Ahvaz put a brake on pacesetter SAIPA's winning streak with a 2-0 victory, Malavan was beaten by Saba Battery 3-2, Abu Moslem and Mes struggled to a 1-1 tie, Paykan saw off Zob Ahan 2-1, and Sepahan disposed of Pas 1-0.