IR Iran: Persepolis gain ground
Persepolis drew level on points with Iran Pro League leaders Sepahan after handing them a 2-1 defeat.

The 16-time champions were two up by the 72nd minute but were down a man five minutes into time added on, with Sepahan nabbing their consolation seven eight later through a Ricardo Alves penalty.

Sepahan and Persepolis are both on 31 points after 17 matches and are on a similar goal difference, with the former winning one match more than their closest challengers.

Third-placed Gol Gohar beat Fajr Sepasi 2-0 while reigning titleholders Tractor FC overwhelmed Mes Rafsanjan 4-1 to move up two places to fourth.

Foolad’s Mohammad Qureshi scored in the fifth minute of added time to give his side a 2-2 draw with 10-men Malavan while Aluminium Arak’s Sasan Hosseini struck a minute into additional time to close with a similar scoreline against Kheybar Khorramabad.

Matches between Esteghlal Khozestan-Peykan, Chadormalu-Shams Azar and Esteghlal FC-Zobahan finished goalless.

Maldives: Maziya stay on target
Maziya Sports and Recreation Club pulled further ahead in the Dhivehi Premier League after playing out a 1-1 stalemate with fourth-placed Buru SC.

The defending champions are on 43 points, 14 clear of Odi SC who beat bottom side Victory SC 3-0.

Third-placed New Radiant SC chalked up the biggest win of the week when they hammered Club Eagles 8-4.

Other matches saw Club Green Streets beat United Victory 1-0 and TC Sports Club emerge winners over Club Valencia by a similar margin.