Duhok — Gharraf: 1:1, Iraqi League

Dahuk and Garraf played out a 1-1 draw in the opening round of the Iraqi League on Saturday. The match ended in a stalemate with both sides taking one point from the first round of fixtures.

And here's the thing about that opening spell — Dahuk had the better chance. M. Al Mawas stepped up for a penalty in the thirteenth minute but could not beat the keeper. The miss hung over the home side for the rest of the half.

Garraf took the lead before the break. P. Mumba found the net in the forty-first minute to give his side the advantage. It was a fine finish that silenced the home crowd momentarily.

Dahuk responded well after the interval. K. Doski equalised in the seventy-ninth minute to salvage a point for his side. To be fair, the comeback showed character from the hosts.

The statistics told a different story. Dahuk controlled possession at fifty-six per cent and registered fifty-nine attacks compared to Garraf's sixty-five. The visitors managed more shots off target but the home side had two shots on target to one.

By then the table had shifted slightly. Dahuk sit ninth with seven points from five games, while Garraf remain thirteenth on five points. Both sides will look to build on this opening result.