Expanded 7th Iran Pro League kicks off

MNA – The 7th Iran Pro League expanded from 16 to 18 squads started Thursday with two games and continued with the remaining seven Friday.
In the opening match, home side Paykan fought back to see off the Shiraz-based Barq 4-2 in the Iran Khodro Stadium, west of Tehran.

Later in the day, Persepolis celebrated an away win, disposing of promoted San’at Naft 3-2 in Takhti Stadium in southern city of Abadan.

Holder SAIPA’s 2-0 loss to Rah Ahan was the main event of Friday when Esteqlal of the capital labored a 3-2 victory over visitor Esteqlal of Ahvaz before 60,000 fans in the Azadi Stadium.

In other matches, Pas of Hamedan edged past Kerman’s Mes 1-0, Abu Moslem conceded a 1-0 loss Saba Battery, Zob Ahan and Malavan struggled to a scoreless tie, Fajr-e Sepassi and Shirin Faraz of Kermanshah split points with a 2-2 draw, and Sepahan took the perfect points with a 2-0 win over promoted Pegah of Gilan.