TEHRANTIMES - Esteghlal football team drew 2-2 with Malavan in the final match of Iran Professional League (IPL) before the winter break.

In the match held in Anzali’s Takhti Stadium on Friday, Jaber Ansari opened the scoring for Esteghlal just after eight minutes into the match.

Malavan striker Jalal Rafkhaei was on target in the 17th minute.

Esteghlal youngster Mohsen Karimi found the back of the net with a long-range shot in the 22nd minute.

Malavan put Esteghlal under pressure in the second half and finally equalized the match in the 77th minute after Rafkhaei scored from the penalty spot.

“We deserved to win the match but our strikers squandered their chances. I am satisfied with the way we played, but not with the final result,” Esteghlal coach Parviz Mazloumi said.

Furthermore, Naft Tehran defeated its host Saba 3-1, Tractor Sazi and Gostaresh finished in a 1-1 draw. Siah Jamegan defeated rock bottom Esteghlal Ahvaz 2-1.

On Thursday, Persepolis defeated Esteghlal Khuzestan 2-0 thanks to two goals from Omid Alishah and Mehdi Taremi in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Struggling Foolad edged past Padideh, Sepahan and Zob Ahan shared the points in Isfahan derby and Saipa beat Rah Ahan 1-0.

Persepolis currently sits fifth in IPL table, five points adrift of Esteghlal.

Esteghlal remains top of IPL with 34 points, followed by Esteghlal Khuzestan and Zob Ahan with 33 and 30 points respectively.

Video of Iran Pro League week 17