Reds, Blues held

MNA – Capital’s Persepolis and Esteqlal, known as the Reds and Blues, were held to a 1-1 draw in the 11th week of the 7th Iran Pro League Thursday and Friday.

Taking on Malavan in a packed Takhti Stadium in Rasht, the capital of northern Gilan Province, pacesetter Persepolis celebrated the opener as striker Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi raced to a diagonal cross from Hossein Badamaki in the 28th minute, finding the net with a neat left drive.

Northerners, however, scored the equalizer 11 minutes later through Seyyed Jalal Rafakhaii, who reveled in the defense line, beating the hapless keeper Mehdi Vaezi with a drilling header.

The two sides split points as they squandered scoring chances on the uneven pitch.

Persepolis remained on top with 25 points.

In another Thursday game, Esteqlal of Ahvaz edged past promoted Pegah 3-2.

In Friday clash, Esteqlal conceded a home 1-1 draw against struggling Abu Moslem in Azadi Stadium, west of Tehran.

New signing Farhad Majidi scored his first goal of season, chesting down a long cross from right winger Mohammad Navazi after nine minutes before firing home with a low drive.

The Mashhad-based Abu Moslem missed two opportunities as Saeid Khani was careless enough to send the ball above the crossbar from close range on 26 and 32 minutes.

Esteqlal midfielder Mojtaba Jabbari blamed his hoodoo nine minutes into second half, when his shot shaved the far post.

Against the run of play, Erfan Olerom, in a swift counterattack, cleared his marker before beating goalie Vahid Taleblu from a tight angle in the 64th minute.

Earlier in the day, Pas extracted a 3-2 win over Rah Ahan, Moqavemat-e Sepassi saw off promoted Naft 2-0, Zob Ahan beat Paykan 1-0, and Shirin Faraz and Saba Battery fought to a 1-1 tie.

Holder SAIPA entertains Barq Sunday and Sepahan-Mes match was postponed at the request of Sepahan.