Hashd al-Shabi beat Sufiya 2-0 in first leg of Iraq Premier League play-off

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Hashd al-Shabi beat Sufiya 2-0 in the first leg of their Iraq Premier League play-off on Monday. Goals from Haydar Hamid in the 13th minute and Selam Mohammed in the 35th minute gave Hashd al-Shabi the win at the Petroleum Club stadium in Baghdad. Hashd al-Shabi finished 18th in the Premier League this season, while Sufiya placed third in the First League. The two-leg tie determines which team competes in the top-tier league next season. The loser is relegated to the First League. The second leg is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. local time at Sufiya's home stadium. If the aggregate score remains tied after regulation, extra time and then penalties will decide the outcome, according to the Iraq Football Association's rules.