TEHRAN - Esteghlal football team defeated Foolad Khuzestan 1-0 to move second place in Iran Professional League (IPL).

Mohsen Krimi scored the winning goal in the 40th minute at the Azadi Stadium.

Esteghlal overtook Tractor Sazi in second place on goal difference, but still are nine points adrift of IPL leader Persepolis.

TractorSazi were held to a 1-1 draw by Gostaresh Foolad in Tabriz derby and 10-man Saipa lost to Sepahan 3-1 in Isfahan’s Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium.

Earlier in the day, Sanat Naft Abadan defeated Persepolis 1-0 thank to Ali Abdollahzadeh’s 40th minute goal.