Tehran – If there is a trend that we are seeing in Iranian football, then it must be “play not to lose” as five of this week’s matches ended in draws.
On 15 September FC Mashhad hosted Saba Qom in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. Payam Malekian put the hosts in front late in the first half.
Twelve minutes into the second half, forward Ahmad Hasanzadeh scored the equalizer for Saba Qom.
In the 86th minute, Karim Eslami scored the go-ahead goal for the visitors to give Saba Qom a 2-1 lead.
Saba Qom were so close to picking up three points on the road but Mohammad Khanzadeh tied it up in the 90th minute to give FC Mashhad a point.
Sepahan picked up a 1-0 win against Machine Sazi in Tabriz with the only goal of the game scored by forward Reza Mirzaei in the 22nd minute. New head coach of Sepahan, Abdollah Veisi has definitely showed why he was such a coveted coach after leading Esteghlal Khuzestan to first place in the Iranian Pro League last season.
Paykan’s home fixture against Naft Tehran finished in a scoreless draw.
Brazilian forward Chimba put Gostaresh Foolad in front on the road against Saipa with a goal three minutes before the hour mark. But once again it was Mehdi Torabi who would spoil the celebrations for Gostaresh with a goal in the 87th minute as Saipa secured a 1-1 draw at home.
Tractor Sazi remain unbeaten with a 2-1 victory in Isfahan against Zob Ahan.
Captain Mohammad Iranpourian converted a penalty kick five minutes before the end of the first half to give Tractor a 1-0 lead.
Lebanese defender Ali Hamam equalized for Zob Ahan in the 69th minute to tie up the match at 1-1 but five minutes later midfielder Sina Ashouri put Tractor back in the lead.
Tractor held on for the 2-1 win and remain one of two unbeaten teams in the IPL.
In Abadan, defending IPL champions Esteghlal Khuzestan took the lead in the 53rd minute against Sanat Naft by way of a goal scored by center back Ezzatollah Pourghaz.
The defending champs were close to securing a victory but Mohammad Shadkam’s goal in the 83rd minute meant that the Boys of Abadan would not be beaten as both teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Two matches were played on 16 September, including the much anticipated Tehran Derby between hosts Persepolis and Esteghlal at the Azadi Stadium.
The Tehran Derby produced no goals and the frustration continues for Alireza Mansourian and Esteghlal Tehran. Persepolis can’t be very upset with the result as they remain the only other unbeaten team in Iran along with Tractor Sazi.
Foolad Khuzestan secured their first win of the season at home against Padideh FC courtesy of penalty kick scored by Sasan Ansari in the 29th minute.