The football memory recalls the last encounter between the current Al-Gharaf coach Haider Obaid and Al-Shorta club, when he was leading Al-Zawraa team last season in the Iraqi Stars League.

That match was held as part of the second-leg of the twenty-ninth round, where Obaid succeeded in leading the Al-Nawaris to a valuable victory over Al-Qithara with a goal without reply, in a match characterized by competitiveness and tactical struggle between the two sides.

The only goal of the match at that time came through player Murad Mohammed, who managed to find the net after an organized attack that gave his team the advantage, allowing Al-Zawraa to maintain their lead until the final whistle.

The match witnessed great defensive discipline from Al-Zawraa, as Obaid effectively closed the spaces in front of Al-Shorta's attack and relied on quick transitions that posed a clear threat throughout the match minutes.

Coach Haider Obaid enters the anticipated encounter against Al-Shorta with a positive memory against this opponent, which may provide him with additional moral motivation, as he seeks to replicate the victory scenario but this time with Al-Gharaf.

On the other hand, Al-Shorta looks to overturn the situation and confirm their superiority, which adds heat to the awaited encounter and gives it a special competitive character between the coach and his former team on one side, and one of the league's prominent teams on the other.