Az-Zawra secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Al-Karhaba in the Iraqi League's Regular Season on Sunday, the result decided by a single moment in the opening half. The hosts remained unbeaten through six matches, while the visitors extended their winless run to four games.
And here's the thing — it was only a goal in the twentieth minute that separated these sides, and even then Az-Zawra did not dominate. M. Cabrera found the net from open play, but the match could easily have ended differently had either keeper been less alert.
To be fair, the statistics tell a curious story. Both teams held possession at 50 per cent, yet Az-Zawra registered four shots on target to Al-Karhaba's one. The visitors fired ten shots wide, a waste that perhaps explains why they sit so far adrift at the bottom of the table.
By then, the home side had already built a comfortable cushion. Twelve points from three wins and three draws keeps them clear at the summit, while Al-Karhaba's four points from four draws and two defeats leaves them rooted to seventeenth place.