A view of the match between Iranian football clubs Perspolis and Esteqlal at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on January 25, 2013
The derby between Tehran football clubs Esteqlal and Perspolis in the 27th week of Iran’s Premier League (IPL) has ended in a goalless draw following an anemic display from both sides.
The popular Iranian clubs exhibited the lackluster performance in the presence of nearly 100,000 spectators at Azadi Stadium in western Tehran on Friday.
The first half was a particularly drab affair with both sides cautious and defensive and neither producing any real opportunity. After the break, however, the Reds played with more vigor and valor, conjuring and squandering in equal number their few goal scoring opportunities.
Esteqlal and Persepolis have played each other 76 times, with the Blues winning 24 games, the Reds recording 18 victories, and 34 ties.
Esteqlal currently leads the IPL standings with 43 points from 22 games, followed by Traktorsazi and Foulad with 41 and 38 points respectively. Perspolis is 8th in the 18-team table with 30 points.
MP/HMV
