Popular Tehran soccer team Persepolis has gained a 2-1 victory over Rah-Ahan in the 17th week of the Iranian Premier League (IPL).

Persepolis Senegalese striker Ibrahima Toure scored the opener to stun the 40,000 spectators at Tehran's Azadi Stadium in the 35th minute of the game on Thursday.

Davoud Haqqi managed to level the matter for Rah-Ahan from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Two minutes later, however, Sepehr Heidari struck the winner for the Reds to seal the victory, moving his side to the 4th place in the IPL table with 29 points.

Persepolis manager Afshin Peyrovani voiced satisfaction with the result.

"I am delighted that we win three points for the game. We really needed to win under any condition," he said. "We have good players and only think about the championship."

Rah-Ahan coach Mahmoud Yavari blamed the loss on the physical condition of his players.

"Our players ran out of energy at the end of the match because they have to play two games per week," Yavari explained. "We must learn a lesson from this defeat."

Isfahan's Zobahan currently tops the IPL table on 33 points. Tehran's Esteqlal sits second with 31 followed by Paykan with 30 points.

HRF/AA