Al-Garaf edges Noruz 1-0 in Iraqi Stars League second week

NASIRIYAH, Iraq — Al-Garaf defeated visiting Noruz 1-0 in the second week of the Iraqi Stars League, securing three points at Nasiriyah Olympic Stadium. The match kicked off at 6:30 p.m., and the only goal came in the 33rd minute when Sharif Abdul Kazim converted a penalty to give the hosts a 1-0 lead before halftime. Play was briefly halted during the first half when a power outage left the stadium in darkness for about ten minutes before electricity was restored and the game resumed. Noruz were unable to find an equalizer after the break, and referee Mohammed Tariq's final whistle confirmed Al-Garaf's narrow victory. The result lifted Al-Garaf to four points and third place in the standings, while Noruz remained on one point, dropping to 16th.