In a fiery football evening at the Zakho International Stadium, the Zakho club secured their place in the final of the Iraq Cup after a goalless draw with Al-Shorta in both regular and extra time, before clinching the match in penalties with a score of 4-3. The match saw a remarkable performance from goalkeeper Ali Kazem, who was the undisputed star of the game.

The match started with a cautious balance between both sides, as each coach preferred to exploit the mistakes of the other. Al-Shorta, who entered the match dreaming of a double season after securing the league title, faced a solid defensive organization from Zakho, who appeared focused and disciplined from the first minute until the final whistle.

Despite both teams' attempts over 120 minutes, neither succeeded in finding the back of the net, thanks to the outstanding performances of the goalkeepers and high discipline in the defensive lines, leading the match to penalties.

When the match reached penalties, goalkeeper Ali Kazem stood out, brilliantly saving two penalties from Al-Shorta players, giving Zakho the advantage that decided the outcome in their favor. Kazem's brilliance was not a momentary occurrence but rather an extension of the exceptional level he maintained throughout the match, making him one of the standout stars of the tournament so far.

With this significant victory, Zakho has rightfully secured their place in the Iraq Cup final, where they will face Duhok in a purely northern fanfare that the Iraqi football community eagerly awaits, especially since both teams are experiencing excellent technical and moral conditions.

On the other hand, Al-Shorta exited the tournament as the defending champion, settling for the local league title this season, which is a disappointment for their fans who aspired for an exceptional season. Although the team delivered a good performance, penalties deprived the Qithara of reaching the final, amidst many questions about the lack of offensive solutions despite the abundance of stars.