The coach of Al-Shorta Club, Egyptian Moamen Suleiman, expressed cautious satisfaction after the difficult victory his team achieved over Diyala with a score of 1-0, in a match held at Al-Mashab Stadium as part of the 34th round of the Iraqi Premier League. The only goal came late in the game from international striker Mohannad Ali 'Mimi', giving the team three precious points in the title race.

In an extensive press statement after the match, Suleiman discussed the events of the game, saying:

“Matches against teams like Diyala are always complicated, indeed among the most difficult in the league. The Diyala team is very organized, led by an outstanding coach who delivered a top-level defensive performance. We faced real difficulty in breaking through their lines, and despite creating numerous chances, haste and lack of focus in the final touch deprived us of an early lead. The longer the time passed without scoring, the more tension increased within the team.”

Regarding the incident of his dismissal during the match, Moamen Suleiman clarified the reasons for the situation that sparked significant controversy, saying:

“I was surprised by the referee's reaction. One of our players was down on the ground with a very serious injury, he almost swallowed his tongue according to what was immediately relayed to me by the technical and medical staff. The situation required urgent intervention, and I have experience in such serious injuries. I approached to help, and instead of understanding the situation, the referee sent me off directly. This is a completely illogical decision, and I feel that the management of the match has descended to a level unworthy of a league that is supposed to be elite.”

Suleiman concluded his remarks with special praise for his players despite the difficult circumstances of the match, emphasizing that the fighting spirit and determination were the keys to snatching the victory in the end, pointing out the need to review performance in the upcoming rounds, especially in terms of capitalizing on opportunities and reducing tension in front of the goal.

It is worth mentioning that Al-Shorta Club continues to chase the leader Al-Zawraa in the standings, as this victory keeps the team in the heart of the title race in a season considered one of the most fluctuating and exciting in recent years.