Erbil Extends Lead as Karama and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Deliver Key Wins in the Iraqi Premier League
22 November 2025
Erbil Extends Iraqi League Lead as Karama and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Grab Important Wins
Erbil extended its lead in the Iraqi Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Graaf on Saturday in the seventh round of the season.
Shershod Timirov opened the scoring for Erbil in the 37th minute, while Kingsley Koko leveled for Graaf; Timirov then sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+7th minute.
Under coach Basem Qassem, Erbil climbed to 19 points, remaining undefeated with six wins and one draw at the summit.
Graaf dropped to 12 points in seventh place after their first league defeat of the campaign.
Other results on the day
Al Quwa Al Jawiya defeated Najaf 2-0, with Mohammed Jawad scoring in the 13th minute and Mohannad Abu Taah adding the second in the 52nd.
Al Karama beat Al Mina 2-0; Moumel Abdul-Rida opened in the 20th minute and veteran Ayman Hussein converted a late penalty in the 90+3.
Diayila beat Al Kahraba 2-1 after Ismail Kwako converted a 33rd-minute penalty, Ibrahim Musa equalized in the 79th, and Wakaa Ramadan struck the stoppage-time winner at 90+10.
Diayila rose to fourth with 15 points, while Al Kahraba stayed at two points in 19th place.
Round wrap-up
The seventh round closes on Sunday with Amanat Baghdad hosting Al Talaba and Zakho facing Qasim.
Assistant coach Wissam Talib of Amanat Baghdad said the pause allowed the team to rebuild and prepare for the Students match. Igor, the new coach of Al Talaba, stated that his side is fully prepared to win and asked fans to back them. The Iraqi FA also postponed Round 8 to give the national team more time to prepare for the Arab Cup in Qatar from December 1 to 18, prompting protests from clubs over the congested schedule.
Notes from Amanat Baghdad’s squad included statements that they felt ready to secure a victory and that the break could help clubs regroup for the rest of the season.
As the league moves forward, clubs fear that further interruptions could jeopardize completing the season if qualification for global tournaments arises.
Punchlines
Sniper joke 1: If Erbil keeps this form, the league trophy will need a silencer because the goals come in so quietly, then boom—three points in the bag.
Sniper joke 2: The defense was so focused tonight that even a sniper wouldn’t have found a chance—Timirov’s penalty found the target and the net didn’t miss the hit.
