At the conclusion of the first day of the matches of the thirty-fifth round of the Iraqi Stars League, all eyes are on the Maysan International Stadium, which will be the stage for an anticipated clash between Naft Maysan and Al-Mina, on Friday evening, June 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM. This match falls under the calculations of "safety ranking," away from the battles for the top or the bottom of the table.

Although the management of Al-Mina Club has invested a lot of effort and money this season to bring in strong deals and distinguished players in various positions, the overall performance has not met expectations, as the team has settled in the 16th position with 39 points, a position that does not match the club's history or the level of the names present in its roster.

The team's results have been characterized by clear fluctuations, as they sometimes excelled against strong teams, but stumbled many times against teams of lower caliber, which caused them to lose many points in crucial stages of the league. Al-Mina suffers from a clear weakness in the midfield and a decline in defensive concentration in the final minutes of matches, which has cost them unexpected losses.

The coach realizes that round 35 will be pivotal in improving the image before the Basra audience, especially since their opponent enjoys greater stability, and the match is being held away from home.

As for the home team, Naft Maysan, they are having a good season quietly and are considered one of the technically stable teams. The team occupies the 10th position with 45 points and is known for its strong performance at home, often forcing visiting teams to accept a draw or a loss.

Naft Maysan relies on collective play and smart distribution on the field, possessing a blend of experience and youth, making them a tough opponent regardless of the name of the rival team. The coach aims to continue the push towards the top eight positions, possibly finishing the season honorably in the ranking table.

Considering the point differences between the two teams, the slight gap does not reflect the true levels. Al-Mina has better talents on paper, but Maysan excels in organization and calmness on the pitch, along with the home ground and fan factor, making them strong candidates to secure the three points.

For Al-Mina, winning this match will provide a morale boost to avoid entering dangerous calculations in the upcoming rounds, especially since some teams behind them have started to press in the rankings. As for Maysan, a win will elevate them further and perhaps bring them closer to the golden square positions if other teams falter.

The focus will be on the midfield battle, as the team that establishes control in this area will be able to dictate the match scenario. Additionally, set pieces may be key to deciding the encounter, especially since both teams do not have a traditional goal-scoring striker, but each relies on diversifying their scoring from various positions.