TEHRANTIMES - Esteghlal defeated Traktorsazi 1-0 in a must-win game in the Iran Professional League (IPL) on Friday.

In a match held in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, Javad Nekounam scored at the 31st minute.

With five minutes remaining to the first half, Esteghlal striker Arash Borhani was sent off by referee Saeid Mozaffarizadeh for head-butting.

Traktorsazi was dominant team in the second half but failed to score.

Esteghlal remains at the top of the IPL table with 59 points. Sepahan moved to second place after a 2-0 win over Saba in Isfahan.

Traktorsazi moved one place down to third with 55 points.

Elsewhere, Damash defeated Sanat Naft 3-1, Mes and Paykan played out a goalless draw and Saipa drew 2-2 with Malavan.

Video of Iran Pro League week 29