Iraq Stars League opens first week with scoreless and 1-1 draws

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraq Stars League opened its 2026-2027 season on Friday with two matches ending in draws. At Al Zawraa Stadium in Baghdad, hosts Al Zawraa were held to a 0-0 result by visiting Al Mina in a match in which both sides failed to convert a series of scoring chances and produced a balanced performance. In the other fixture of the opening round, Kirma and visiting Mosul finished 1-1 at the Gowan Stadium, used as Kirma's temporary home ground. The first half ended without goals before Mosul went ahead in the 85th minute through a penalty converted by Kristian Yelma. Kirma leveled in stoppage time in the 91st minute when Husam Kadhim found the net. The opening matchweek, which runs over three days, is scheduled to conclude on Sunday with 10 further fixtures.