Al Kahrabaa — Al-Karma: 1:1, Iraqi League

Al-Karraba and Al-Karma shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the third round of the Iraq League on Tuesday. The result leaves the hosts rooted to 16th place with just three points from four fixtures, while the visitors climb into third with eight points and remain unbeaten.

It was a match where the momentum shifted sharply after the hour mark. Al-Karma had looked comfortable for much of the first half, controlling 52 per cent of possession and registering 71 attacks compared to 59 for the home side. To be fair, the statistics suggested they were dominating, but football rarely follows a spreadsheet.

And here's the thing about the 62nd minute — it changed everything. A. Mouddane picked up his second booking in quick succession and was then shown the red card. Al-Karma suddenly found themselves with ten men, and the game opened up in ways neither manager had planned for.

Diego Carioca gave Al-Karraba the lead in the 77th minute, capitalising on the numerical advantage. But Al-Karma refused to fold. W. Ramadan converted a penalty in stoppage time to rescue a point, and by then the home supporters had seen it out with mixed emotions.

The numbers tell an interesting story. Al-Karraba managed only three shots on target with the match winner coming from one of those attempts. Al-Karma hit the woodwork and came close but could not find the net until the penalty spot was appealed for.

For Al-Karraba, it was a fourth straight draw — a run that has kept them in the bottom half of the table. They will need to find some consistency if they want to avoid a relegation battle. Al-Karma, meanwhile, showed character after going down to ten men and will feel they could have taken all three points.