Sepahan ready to retain title

7 May 2012 06:50

Iran champions Sepahan are on the brink of a third consecutive title.

Sepahan kept their three-point lead at the top of the league with one game to play despite a 0-0 Isfahan derby draw with Zob Ahan on Sunday.

In the penultimate round of fixtures, Sepahan could only manage a goalless draw with the 2010 AFC Champions League runners-up. However, second-placed Tractor Sazi failed to capitalise on Sepahan's slip-up after drawing 0-0 with relegated bottom club Mes Sarcheshme.

Meanwhile, third-placed Esteghlal kept alive their remote title hopes after a 2-1 win away to Sanat Naft moved them level on points with second-placed Tractor Sazi.

Sepahan can clinch their fourth Iranian title when they host Mes Sarcheshme on Friday, with any result enough to guarantee them the crown.

Elsewhere, Tractor Sazi and Esteghlal must both win handsomely against Mes Kerman and Naft Tehran respectively on Friday and hope Sepahan lose to have any chance of winning the title.

Meanwhile down the wrong end of the table, Tehran giants Persepolis plummeted to a new low after a 4-3 home defeat to Rah Ahan left them down in 15th, one spot above the relegation zone.

However, the relegation spots have now been decided with Shahrdari Tabriz and Shahin Bushehr joining Sarcheshme after failing to get the required results over the weekend.