Esteghlal Ahvaz Miss Chance To Go Top

AFC - ESFEHAN, With leaders Esteghlal and second-place Saipa inactive during the weekend’s Iranian Pro League action, third-placed Esteghlal-Ahvaz missed a chance to go top of the table with only three games to play.

Instead, the title hopefuls crashed to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Sepahan.

The damage was done by striker Emad Reza who hit a hat-trick in the first half. Mohsen Bengar added a fourth after the restart.

Persepolis are one spot higher than fifth-placed Sepahan after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malavan in Tehran. Hossein Ka’bi scored the only goal of the game with 17 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Foolad defeated Bargh 4-2 to keep their hopes of survival alive while doomed bottom club Rah Ahan lost 2-1 at Zob Ahan.

Abu Moslem stay safely in sixth after a 2-0 win over Saba Battery.

1: Esteghlal     51       2: Saipa          49       3: Esteghlal-Ahvaz       49       4: Persepolis    47       5: Sepahan          45       6: Abu Moslem  42