Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Karadj: AFC Champions League 2013 newcomers Tractor Sazi were held 2-2 away at Saipa to move fifth in the Iran Pro League table on Wednesday.
The Group A contenders, who will be participating in the continent’s premier competition for the first time, conceded the first goal in the 47th minute to Saipa attacker Saeed Daghighi but were in level terms in the 50th minutes with a goal from Navid Khosh Hava.
In the action packed early period of the second half, Seyed Mehdi put the visitors 2-1 up but Tractor failed to maintain the lead and shared a point apiece when Daghighi found his second through a penalty in the 64th minute.
Tractor are in the fifth place with 29 points from 18 matches while fellow ACL contenders Esteghlal top the table with 34 points. Sepahan are at the second place with 31 points.
In their first appearance in the ACL, Tractor Sazi will face the challenges of Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab, Al Jazira of the UAE and El Jaish of Qatar with their first match being a home match against Al Jazira on 26 February 2013.