AHVAZ (Interstat) — Foolad Khuzestan FC defeated Mes Shahr-e Babak 2-1 on Thursday, earning its first win in the competition and across all competitions. Amirhossein Jolani scored for Foolad Khuzestan FC in the 60th minute. Zobeir Niknafs scored for Mes Shahr-e Babak in the 78th minute. Foolad Khuzestan FC improved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-0 overall, while Mes Shahr-e Babak dropped to 0-1 in the competition and 0-1 overall. The home side protected its one-goal lead after Niknafs’ late strike. Neither team scored again after the 78th minute. Key performances came from Mes Shahr-e Babak’s Zobeir Niknafs and Foolad Khuzestan FC’s Amirhossein Jolani, each with one goal and a full 90 minutes. Foolad Khuzestan FC’s win gave the club a victory in its competition opener and its overall season opener. Mes Shahr-e Babak remained without a win in the competition and across all competitions.