Holder Esteqlal widens gap with SAIPA

Iran Pro League (IPL) holder Esteqlal of Tehran here Friday widened its gap with SAIPA on top of the 16-strong table.

Second-placed SAIPA was beaten by visitor Esteqlal of Ahvaz 1-0 in the 25th week of the sixth IPL in Shariati Stadium, 35km west of Tehran

Striker Fereydun Fazli scored the sole goal of the match from close range four minutes after kickoff.

Playing before over 30,000 partisan fans in Azadi Stadium, the capital-based Esteqlal opened the scoring on 67 minutes when striker Ali Alizadeh found Barq’s net with a chip.

Known as Blues, the table-topper upped the tempo, doubling its tally six minutes later through midfielder Hossein Kazemi whose delightful lob passed the goal-line after shaving the crossbar.

Left winger Mohsen Yussefi sent the spectators wild with applause in the 77th minute, celebrating the third with an angled left drive.

Esteqlal remains at top with 50 points, four more than SAIPA’s asset, and Esteqlal of Ahvaz lies in the third spot with 45 points.

Source : Mehrnews Agancy