Persian Gulf Pro League:
Tractor, Sepahan fire blanks in goalless stalemates
Defending champion Tractor shared the spoils with Foolad Khuzestan in a goalless encounter in the Persian Gulf Pro League at Ahvaz’s Foolad Arena on Saturday.
This was Tractor’s fourth goalless stalemate in nine outings across all competitions this season – third in a row following a domestic league draw at home against newly-promoted Fajr Sepasi and the game against the UAE’s Al Wahda in the AFC Champions League Elite last Monday.
The frustrating draw was still enough to send Dragan Skocic’s side back atop the Iranian top-flight table with nine points from six games – courtesy of a superior goal difference over Golgohar Sirjan, Malavan, and Iralco.
Tractor will play Malavan at home next, with Foolad playing away to Zob Ahan after the upcoming international break.
It also finished without a goal between Zob Ahan and Sepahan in the Isfahan Derby at the Naqsh-e Jahan Stadium on Saturday.
The result meant Sepahan has now managed a single victory in eight games in all competitions this season – a 1-0 away win against Khaybar last time out in the league – heaping pressure on head coach and club legend Moharram Navidkia, who was appointed to the role for a second spell in June.
Sitting 12th in the 16-team table with six points from as many games, Sepahan will chase the second victory of the season when taking on Esteghlal Khuzestan in Ahvaz on October 17.