Al-Talaba — Naft, Iraqi League

Al-Talaba and Naft played out a goalless draw on Sunday in the Iraqi League's fourth round of the regular season. The match finished 0-0 at the Al-Talaba ground, with both sides unable to break through despite creating chances. It was a result that kept both teams within touching distance of each other in the table. The statistics told a story of two evenly matched sides. Al-Talaba registered 68 attacks to Naft's 61, while both teams landed four shots on target. Possession was split 60-40 in favour of the hosts, though neither side could convert their numbers into goals. Al-Talaba remain ninth with four points from four games, having won one and drawn two before this result. Naft sit seventh with six points, their unbeaten run extending to four matches. The draw means both clubs stay close together, with only two points separating them. Al-Talaba's recent form has been mixed, including a 3-3 draw with Dahuk and a 1-0 win over Nowruz. Naft's streak includes a 2-0 victory against Al-Karkh and a 1-1 draw with Dahuk in their last outing. Neither side showed the sharpness to take all three points. The result leaves both teams looking ahead to their next fixtures. With the season still early, the gap between them remains narrow, and this draw suggests neither side has yet found a clear advantage over the other.