TEHRAN (Press TV) -- The two Iranian arch-rivals, Esteqlal and Persepolis, on Thursday, were held to a 1-1 draw at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.

The breakthrough for Esteqlal came only four minutes into the game, when Jabbari's pass deep into the Persepolis defense line found Omid Ravankhah in the 18-yard box, who sent the ball past Hassan Roudbarian.
After conceding the goal Persepolis dominated the first half. In the 31th minute Mohsen Khalili scored the equalizer in a one-on-one contest with Vahid Taleblou, thanks to a superb cross by Karim Baqeri.
The match lost its high incentive following Pesepolis' equalizer; however, the two sides each created a few chances but failed to score.
Thirteen minutes from time a through ball reached Esteqlal's Arash Borhani in one-on-one situation, but he failed to fire his shot before Persepolis' defenders clear the ball out for a corner.
In the 81st minute, Karim Baqeri was shown his second yellow card for committing a foul on Ravankhah. Baqeri was shortly followed by Bijan Koushki who received his second yellow card for a tackle from behind on Hossein Badamaki just three minutes from time.
The highly anticipated derby was attended by some 75,000 fans, and was judged by the International referee Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez of Spain.
Sepahan is still leading the table with 46 points after defeating Ahvaz's Esteqlal 2-1. Persepolis and Saba Battery both have 42 points with Persepolis in the second place on goal difference. Esteqlal with 38 points is struggling to join the title race.