SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq (Interstat) — In a thrilling Iraqi League match that defied pregame projections, Newroz and Naft Maysan played to a 3-3 draw Wednesday at Sulaymaniyah Stadium.

The contest, part of the IRQ: Iraqi League competition, saw a dramatic second-half surge of goals after a scoreless first half, culminating in a frantic final minutes that saw the visiting side erase a two-goal deficit.

Newroz, the home side, opened the scoring in the 56th minute through forward Okiki Afolabi. The striker doubled his tally and the home team’s lead just 13 minutes later, finding the net again in the 69th minute to put Newroz in a commanding position.

Naft Maysan, however, mounted a stunning late comeback. Younes Abid sparked the rally with a goal in the 85th minute, cutting the deficit to a single goal. The visitors continued their relentless pressure and found an equalizer in the dying moments of the match, securing a valuable point on the road. The final two goals for Naft Maysan were not detailed in the provided sequence but were confirmed in the official result.

The result contrasted sharply with statistical forecasts. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a lower-scoring 1-1 draw, while its ELO rating system had given Newroz a 61.6 percent probability of securing a victory.

With the draw, Newroz’s record in the Iraqi League this season moves to one win and one draw, remaining undefeated. Their overall record across all competitions also stands at one win and one draw. Naft Maysan, still seeking its first victory of the campaign, now holds a league record of one loss and one draw, mirroring its overall record across all competitions.

The match was contested at Sulaymaniyah Stadium in as-Sulaimāniyya, a venue that witnessed a six-goal spectacle far exceeding expectations. The shared points leave Newroz with a slightly more favorable early position in the league table, while Naft Maysan will take heart from a resilient performance that salvaged a result away from home.