TEHRANTIMES - Persepolis football team defeated struggling Esteghlal Ahvaz in the Week 12 of the Iranian Professional League (IPL) on Saturday.

Mehdi Taremi scored the only goal of the match in the 20th minute.

Persepolis put the visiting team under pressure in the second half but its strikers missed their opportunities.

“In my opinion, we are among the title-contenders. I am satisfied with our performance as usual,” Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic said in the post-match news conference.

Asked him about Taremi, who squandered so many chances in the second half, Branko said, “Taremi played well but I think he was exhausted from the long trip from Guam and playing on artificial ground,” the Croat added.

Persepolis moved to seventh place with 18 points, seven points behind IPL leader Esteghlal.

Video of Iran Pro League week 12