ZAKHO, Iraq (Interstat) — Zakho used a second-half response to defeat Erbil SC 2-1 at Zakho International Stadium in Zakho on Thursday, securing its first win in the competition this season while handing Erbil another difficult result. The home side trailed after Ismail Mihrab put Erbil ahead in the 69th minute, with Alaa Raad providing the assist. Zakho answered with goals from Sherzod Temirov and Z. Ahmed, and Ahmed’s 80th-minute strike helped complete the comeback. Mustafa Saadoon provided an assist on a Zakho goal. The match remained tight throughout and was decided in the final stretch, with Erbil unable to find a second goal after falling behind.

The result moved Zakho to one win and two losses in this competition and one win and two losses across all competitions. Erbil SC fell to no wins, two losses and one draw in the competition and no wins, three losses and one draw across all competitions. Zakho entered the match after a 2-0 away loss to Al Naft SC Bagdad and a 1-0 home loss to Newroz. Erbil had lost 1-0 at home to Al Mosul, lost 5-4 at Ajman and drawn 1-1 at Naft Maysan SC. The home side’s response ended a run of defeats, while Erbil remained without a win in its campaign. Zakho’s players celebrated the home result while Erbil looked toward its next fixture.

Mihrab’s goal was the main attacking return for Erbil, and Raad’s assist supported that effort. For Zakho, Ahmed and Temirov each found the net, while Saadoon contributed an assist. The scoring sequence kept the match balanced until Zakho’s late breakthrough. Erbil pressed for an equalizer after falling behind, but Zakho held its advantage through the closing minutes. The home side managed the final stages without conceding again and closed out the win at Zakho International Stadium. The visiting side had spells of possession but could not convert them into another goal. The home side’s second goal gave it a cushion, and Erbil’s late attempts were kept out as the match moved into its final phase.

Zakho’s victory gave the club its first competition win of the season after earlier losses to Al Naft SC Bagdad and Newroz. Erbil, meanwhile, continued a stretch that has included a home loss to Al Mosul, a high-scoring away loss at Ajman and a draw at Naft Maysan SC. The contest was the latest in a busy sequence for both clubs, and the result left the visiting side still searching for its first victory across all competitions. Zakho’s win improved its competition record, while Erbil’s wait for a first league win continued. The final whistle brought a home celebration and a muted finish for the visitors.

The match featured several key attacking contributions. Mihrab scored for Erbil. Ahmed scored for Zakho. Temirov also scored for Zakho. Raad recorded an assist for Erbil, and Saadoon recorded an assist for Zakho. Both teams used the width of the Zakho International Stadium pitch and traded possession during long spells, but the decisive moments came in the second half. The home side’s late goal proved enough to secure the result, and Erbil could not produce a response in the remaining minutes. Zakho’s defense held firm through the final stages. The result gave Zakho a home win in front of its supporters.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Erbil SC 2, Zakho 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Erbil SC with a 50.3 percent probability to win. Erbil SC had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.