The Iraqi Stars League resumes after the international break, with one of the most notable matches of the thirty-fifth round opening tomorrow, Saturday, when Zakho hosts Al-Basra Oil at the Zakho Stadium at 6 PM, as part of the crucial phase of the season.

Zakho has been one of the biggest surprises of this season, having delivered strong performances since the league began, even topping the standings for several rounds in the middle of the season, benefiting from administrative stability and a complete group of local and professional players.

The team was managed technically by coach Talal Al-Balushi, who led them to the highest levels, but the decline in results in the recent rounds and their distance from the top of the league led to his dismissal and the appointment of coach Abdul Ghani Shahid in hopes of correcting the course and returning to the winning path.

Zakho enters the match in third place with 63 points and still has a chance to compete for one of the spots qualifying for international tournaments, but it needs a series of victories and to wait for its competitors to falter in the remaining rounds.

On the other hand, Al-Basra Oil is experiencing one of its worst seasons in the top league, as the team suffers from a significant decline in performance and results. It is currently in 18th place with 29 points, and it seems that the struggle to stay in the Iraqi Stars League will go down to the last moment of the season.

The team has faced administrative and technical problems throughout the season, which has kept it in the danger zone since the competition began, despite some individual attempts from its players to get back on the right track. Tomorrow's match will be crucial for the Basra team, which cannot afford to lose points at this sensitive time.

The first round encounter between the two teams was very exciting, as Zakho managed to snatch a dramatic victory with a score of 3-2, in a match that held its breath until the last moments. Tomorrow's encounter is expected to witness the same intensity and excitement, especially since both teams have strong motivations: Zakho wants to confirm its return and improve its position, while Al-Basra Oil seeks a new dose of hope in the fight for survival.