All square in Tehran derby

AFC – The latest Tehran derby, one of the most fiercely-contested club clashes in Asia, ended all square as Perspolis and Esteghlal drew 1-1 at the Azadi Stadium on Thursday.

Omid Ravankhah put Esteghlal one up with just four minutes gone but the Reds drew level on the half-hour mark when Mohsen Khalili beat Vahid Taleblou after being set-up by former Iran international Karim Bagheri.

Bagheri’s night was to end in disappointment, however, when the ex-Arminia Bielefeld, Charlton, and Al Sadd midfielder was sent off in the 81st minute after picking up his second yellow card of the night having fouled Esteghlal’s goal scorer Ravankhah.

Numerical parity was restored when Bijan Koushki received his second booking of the match with three minutes left to play as the game, which was played in front of more than 75,000 fans, ended all square.