DUHOK, Iraq (Interstat) — Duhok SC scored three unanswered goals and defeated Al Zawra’a 3-0 on Thursday at Dohuk Stadium in Duhok. Aso Rostam led the home side with two goals, and Younus Hammood added another as Duhok SC opened the competition with a victory. Al Zawra’a was held scoreless in the loss.

Duhok SC took the lead in the 3rd minute when Rostam scored. The early goal gave the home team a 1-0 advantage and forced Al Zawra’a to chase the match from the opening stages. Duhok SC maintained its lead through the first half, and Al Zawra’a was unable to find an equalizer before the break. The visitors had chances to respond but could not convert them into a goal. Duhok SC pressed for more after the opening goal. Al Zawra’a tried to respond, but the visitors could not find a way past the home defense in the first half. The home side took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The home side doubled its lead in the 49th minute when Hammood scored. That goal came early in the second half and gave Duhok SC a 2-0 cushion. Al Zawra’a continued to search for a goal, but Duhok SC’s defense held firm. The visitors could not break through, and the home side controlled the pace of the match. Duhok SC continued to create chances after the break. Hammood’s finish in the 49th minute gave the hosts more breathing room. Al Zawra’a needed two goals to level the match, but the visitors struggled to generate a consistent attack.

Rostam scored again in the 81st minute, completing his brace and making it 3-0. The goal closed the scoring and secured the win for Duhok SC. Rostam finished as the top performer for Duhok SC with two goals. Hammood scored once. Ahmad Allee, Reda Majji and Siyaband Aged each provided an assist. Rostam’s second goal came late in the match. The goal capped a strong individual performance for the Duhok SC forward. Al Zawra’a could not respond in the closing minutes.

Al Zawra’a entered the match looking to start the competition on a positive note but was unable to convert its opportunities. The visitors remained scoreless, and the defeat left them searching for answers ahead of their next fixture. Duhok SC, meanwhile, made a strong first impression at home. The loss marked a difficult start for Al Zawra’a in the competition. Duhok SC took advantage of its home field and claimed the victory. The match was played on Thursday at Dohuk Stadium.

The result moved Al Zawra’a to 0 wins and 1 loss in the competition and 0 wins and 1 loss across all competitions. Duhok SC improved to 1 win and 0 losses in the competition and 1 win and 0 losses across all competitions. The match was played at Dohuk Stadium in Duhok. Duhok SC’s competition record now stands at 1 win and 0 losses. Al Zawra’a’s competition record is 0 wins and 1 loss. Those same records apply across all competitions.

Duhok SC’s defense held firm throughout the match, keeping Al Zawra’a from scoring. The home side managed the game after taking the lead, and the second-half goals put the outcome beyond doubt. Al Zawra’a pushed for a goal but was unable to break through. Duhok SC’s three-goal performance marked a decisive start to its campaign. The home side kept a clean sheet. Al Zawra’a was unable to score in either half. Duhok SC’s defensive effort helped preserve the three-goal margin.

Rostam’s two goals came in the 3rd and 81st minutes, while Hammood’s goal arrived in the 49th. The scoring sequence gave Duhok SC a 1-0 lead at the break, then a 2-0 cushion early in the second half, before Rostam’s second made it 3-0. Al Zawra’a could not produce a response. Rostam scored the first and final goals of the match. Hammood scored the middle goal. The three goals came in the 3rd, 49th and 81st minutes. Al Zawra’a was held without a goal.

Duhok SC will look to build on the win in its next competition match. Al Zawra’a will aim to recover from the loss. The game was Duhok SC’s first in the competition and Al Zawra’a’s first, leaving both teams with early season records to build upon. Duhok SC’s next match will provide a chance to add to its winning start. Al Zawra’a will seek its first win of the competition. Both teams will carry their early records into the next round.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Al Zawra’a 2, Duhok SC 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Al Zawra’a with a 54.3 percent probability to win.