The police team faced a significant collapse in their match against Al-Ittihad Saudi, after losing the encounter 4-1, in the third round of the Asian Champions League for elites, in the match held at the city stadium in the capital Baghdad.

Despite the ideal start and favorable conditions surrounding the team at the beginning of the match, they were unable to capitalize on it optimally, as three prominent scenes changed the course of the match entirely.

The police team achieved an ideal start in the match when they managed to score an early goal in the fifth minute through a remarkable header from Bassam Shakir, who delivered an exceptional performance in the early minutes.

However, this goal turned into a trap for the Iraqi team, as the players exhibited a degree of complacency and coolness, thinking that the match was within their grasp, until Al-Ittihad's response came in the 17th minute, turning the tables, and from that moment, control began to shift to the visiting team, while the police players struggled to regain their balance in dealing with the opponent's pressure.

One of the most prominent reasons for the heavy loss was the mental attitude of the players, who showed signs of frustration and defeatism as the minutes passed, despite the fact that the circumstances were in their favor during many periods of the match.

Despite the numerical disadvantage that Al-Ittihad suffered after the expulsion of their player, Danilo Pereira, in the 50th minute, the Saudi team managed to score two additional goals with complete ease, with no significant reaction from the green lyre players.

In the 37th minute, Senegalese player, Dominique Mendy, unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, which hit the crossbar amidst significant doubts about whether it completely crossed the goal line.

This moment was pivotal in the course of the match, as had the goal been counted in favor of the police, it would have changed the course of the game entirely, as it would have been enough to restore confidence and fighting spirit among the players.

In conclusion, the police's loss to Al-Ittihad is their second in the tournament, following the defeat to Qatari Al-Gharafa with a clean two-goal score in the previous round, while they drew with Al-Sadd 1-1 in the first round.