Al-Ghraf’s 1-0 win over Nooroz
In the second round of the Iraq Stars League, Al-Ghraf defeated Nooroz 1-0 at the Al-Nasiriya Olympic Stadium. The only goal of the match came in the 33rd minute from a penalty successfully converted by Sherif Abdul-Kadhim, giving his team the advantage before the end of the first half. The match experienced a stoppage of over 10 minutes in the first half due to a power outage and the lights going out, before play resumed after electricity was restored. Al-Ghraf maintained its lead in the second half until referee Mohammed Tariq blew the final whistle, raising the team’s tally to 4 points, while Nooroz remained on one point.
Dohuk draws 3-3 with Al-Tabita
In another game, Dohuk drew 3-3 with Al-Tabita at Dohuk Stadium. The home side opened the scoring through Safaa Hadi in the 8th minute, before Saif Al-Rashid responded with a hat-trick for Al-Tabita in the 19th, 32nd, and 44th minutes. Younis Hamoud narrowed the gap for Dohuk in the 40th minute, then returned to score the equaliser in the 49th minute, sealing the 3-3 result. Dohuk’s points rose to two, while Al-Tabita earned its first point of the season.
Early battle for the top spot
After round two, several clubs were level on 4 points, including Erbil, Al-Nafl, Al-Karma, Al-Mawsol, Al-Ghraf, Al-Mina, and Al-Jolan. Diyala and Zakho each had 3 points, while Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Dohuk, Karbala, Zawraa, and Al-Nafl Misan had 2 points. Al-Tabita, Nooroz, Al-Shurta, Gas Al-Shamal, and Al-Kahraba each had one point, while Al-Karkh remained without a point after losing its first two matches.
Other matches in the round
The round also saw a 1-1 draw between Gas Al-Shamal and Al-Kahraba, a goalless draw between Al-Nafl Misan and Al-Nafl, a 1-0 win for Al-Jolan over Al-Karkh, a 2-1 win for Al-Mina over Zakho, a 2-1 win for Al-Mawsol over Diyala, a 1-1 draw between Karbala and Zawraa, a 2-1 win for Al-Karma over Al-Shurta, and a 1-1 draw between Erbil and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.
