3/18/2007
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Going into round 26 Pas and Esteghlal shared the top spot with 48 points. Pas, however, had an advantage thanks to a better goal difference.

On Friday, Esteghlal hosted bottom dwellers Shamooshak in Tehran. The northern visitors came out fighting and jumped on a very early lead. Esteghlal managed to tie the game in the first half, but despite their desperate efforts to grab the winner they had to settle for a single point.

This result of course left the door wide open for Pas to take over the sole position at the top the next day in Isfahan. Their hosts Zob-Ahan, however, had other plans. In a shocker Zob-Ahan scored three unanswered goals in the second half to defeat the Tehran side.

Esteghlal now lead the league with 49 points.

In his second game in charge of Perspolis, Dutch coach Arie Haan got his first IPL victory against Malavan. Playing in Anzali, the Tehran side fell behind early because of a defensive error. In a departure from the past, however, they did not panic, and came storming back scoring three straight goals for a 3:1 win. In a short few weeks, the Dutch team of Haan and Teo de Jong has managed to instill a sense of discipline and purpose in the Reds who seem to be in the verge of a complete implosion prior to their arrival.

Saipa’s plight continued as they dropped their third game of the season in Mashahd against Abu-Moslem. The game was marred by lack of discipline. Four players, one from Abu-Moslem and three from Saipa, were ejected from the game. Abu-Moslem won 1:0.

This was a good week for town of Ahvaz as both Foolad and Esteghlal recorded victories against their Shiraz opponents. Foolad defeated Bargh in Shiraz by a single goal and Esteghlal defeated Fajr 2:1 in Shooshtar.

Skipper Ali Daei came through for Saba Battery in the second half to give them a victory against visitors Shahid Ghandi who are now coached by Saba’s former coach Majid Jalali.

Finally, in Tehran Rah-Ahan and Sepahan played a 1:1 draw.

To view current standings click here.

Saturday, March 18

Zob-Ahan 3:0 Pas
Rah-Ahan 1:1 Sepahan

Friday, March 17

Saba Battery 1:0 Shahid Ghandi
Bargh 0:1 Foolad
Abu-Moslem 1:0 Saipa
Esteghlal Ahvaz 2:1 Fajr
Malavan 1:3 Perspolis
Esteghlal 1:1 Shamooshak