In the match held in Ahvaz’s Foolad Arena, Mohammad Sharifi was on target in the 34th minute. Esteghlal Khuzestan were reduced to 10-man in the 78th minute, after Hamid Bouhamdan received his second yellow card.

Earlier in the day, defending champions Tractor defeated Aluminum 4-1 in a home game.

Domagoj Drozdek scored a hat-trick as well as a goal from Regi Lushkja.

Behrouz Norouzifard found the back of the net for Aluminum.

Kheybar Khoramabad and Fajr Sepasi shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw and Gol Gohar were held to a 1-1 draw against Sepahan.

On Saturday, Persepolis will host Foolad in Tehran, Shams Azar host Paykan, Zob Ahan face Mes Rafsanjan in Isfahan and Chadormalou play Malavan in Yazd.