AL AMARAH, Iraq (Interstat) — Erbil SC and Naft Maysan SC played to a 1-1 draw Thursday at Maysan International Stadium, a result that left both clubs without a win in their opening match of the competition. Erbil, the visiting side, took the lead in the first half. Naft Maysan answered before the end and the teams split the points. The match remained level through the closing stages, though it ended with a late red card for Erbil.

Miullen put Erbil SC ahead in the 34th minute. He was on the field for the full 90 minutes and recorded one goal, finishing the match without being substituted. The goal gave Erbil an early advantage and forced Naft Maysan to chase the game at home. Naft Maysan pressed for an equalizer and found it through Daouda Gueye Dieme, who also was not substituted and finished with one goal. Dieme’s goal changed the shape of the contest, forcing Erbil to defend with more numbers and look for chances on the counter.

Ali Shebar of Erbil SC provided the assist on Miullen’s goal. Shebar was on the field for all 90 minutes and was not substituted. His contribution helped Erbil secure the early lead, but the visitors could not hold it. Naft Maysan’s pressure produced the leveling goal, and neither side managed a winner in the remaining time. The home side pushed late for a second goal, while Erbil tried to protect the draw and threaten on quick breaks.

Erbil SC’s record in this competition is now 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Naft Maysan SC’s record in this competition is also 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Across all competitions, Erbil SC stands at 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. Naft Maysan SC also stands at 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw. The shared points left both teams unbeaten but still awaiting a first victory in the young campaign. For Erbil, the draw offered a measure of resilience on the road. For Naft Maysan, it was a home result that mixed a comeback with frustration at not finding a winner.

The game grew more physical as time ran down. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, Erbil SC’s Inonga H. was shown a red card. The dismissal came deep into stoppage time and left Erbil to finish with 10 players. The late red card added a final twist to a match that had already seen both teams trade goals and long spells of cautious play. Naft Maysan could not convert its man advantage into a second goal before the final whistle. Erbil had defended its share of possession in the final minutes, but the sending-off forced a deeper block as Naft Maysan searched for a winner. Naft Maysan looked to use the extra player before the referee ended the match, but the score remained level.

Naft Maysan had the better of some stretches at Maysan International Stadium, using its home support to press higher and force Erbil into clearances. Erbil, meanwhile, showed enough going forward to create the opening goal and nearly found another before Naft Maysan equalized. The draw reflected a contest in which neither defense fully controlled the other for 90 minutes, and both sides were left with a mix of positives and unresolved issues. The result also kept the early-season picture unsettled, with little separation between the teams after one match. Both teams had moments when they appeared likely to take control, but neither could sustain pressure long enough to produce a decisive second goal. The draw left the match without a clear winner and gave each side a single point from the opening fixture.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Erbil SC 2, Naft Maysan SC 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Naft Maysan SC with a 51.2 percent probability to win. Instead, the teams finished level at 1-1, with the projections not matching the final result.