Al-Zawraa's 2-1 victory over Al-Shorta in the capital's derby did not come by chance, but was the result of a combination of tactical and psychological factors that came together to grant the 'Nawaris' three valuable points in the 28th round of the Iraq Stars League. The superiority of Louay Salah's squad revealed that mental and technical preparation precedes performance on the green rectangle.

The first reason:

Al-Zawraa players appeared from the first minute with high morale and exceptional fighting spirit, which was expected before the derby but stood out remarkably on the ground. The team entered the match as if playing a final, fighting for every ball, maintaining constant pressure, and full mental focus throughout the 90 minutes.

This spirit was undoubtedly the most prominent factor in deciding the confrontation, especially in light of the absences that hit the team before the match. The players compensated for the numerical and qualitative shortage with desire and determination, proving that derbies are won with the heart before the foot. Even after the controversial penalty and Al-Shorta's goal to narrow the gap, the spirit did not waver, and the team held together until the final whistle.

The second reason:

The second factor was the complete adherence to coach Louay Salah's instructions, as the players executed the plan perfectly. Salah proved that he had read the opposing team well and put in place the right plan to stop Al-Shorta's key players and exploit their weaknesses.

Al-Zawraa appeared tactically organized, especially in the first half, which they completely dominated and ended 2-0 ahead. Quick transitions, closing spaces, defensive positioning, and pressing at the right time were all details that confirmed the team was mentally and technically prepared for the match with excellence. Louay Salah's tactical superiority over Moamen Soliman was evident in managing the course of the match.

The third reason:

The significant role played by Al-Zawraa's fans at the People's Stadium cannot be overlooked, as their support provided an additional incentive for the players from the moment they entered the field. The chants of the 'Nawaris' did not stop for 90 minutes, giving the players a massive morale boost, especially in the final minutes, which saw intense pressure from Al-Shorta.

The fourth reason:

Al-Zawraa played very smartly on Al-Shorta's mistakes, especially in the first half, which witnessed a retreat and wrong positioning from the 'Qithara' defense. Hiran Azad's goals in the 22nd and 29th minutes came from perfect exploitation of spaces and errors, putting Al-Zawraa's opponent under early pressure.

The white team did not settle for just scoring but continued to press the ball carrier and force Al-Shorta players to make mistakes in dangerous areas. Even the third goal, disallowed for offside, came from the same idea: exploiting any defensive confusion. This mentality is what distinguishes big teams in crucial encounters.