MNA - The Iran Professional League (IPL) leader Esteghlal sealed a precious 4-2 victory against Damash on Friday in the 19th week in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
The hosts fell behind early in the 14th minute after Damash Brazilian Striker Adriano Alves found himself unmarked in front of Esteghlal goal and sent the ball to the far post.
Mehdi Nouri scored an own goal in the 25th minute to give Esteghlal a 1-1 draw. He tried to clear Mehdi Amirabadi’s bouncing cross but only planted the ball past Damash goalie Nazarmohammadi.
Esteghlal put the struggling team under pressure afterward and captain Piruz Ghorbani gave his team the lead eventually two minutes left in the first half. Brazilian Fabio Johnvario sent a perfect cross to Damash far post and the defender headed it into the goal.
Damash rallied to 2-2 draw in the 69th minute. Mohammad Reza Mahdavi’s header on the verge of six yards zone touched Esteghlal’s net in front of approximately 30,000 spectators.
Esteghlal got back to the winning way four minutes later. Khosro Heydari’s cross into Damash’s box was headed by Hossein Kazemi into the goal.
IPL’s top scorer Arash Borhani finished Damash off in the 75th minute when his header flew over Nazarmohammadi’s hands in the penalty spot area.
Esteghlal remains at top of the IPL table with 37 points on goal difference over Zob Ahan.
