Police to Host Al-Minaa Tomorrow: Discover the Details of the Encounter

The 38th round of the Iraqi Stars League concludes tomorrow evening, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with a match between the runner-up Al-Shorta Club and its guest Al-Minaa, at the 'Cage' Stadium in Baghdad.

The kickoff whistle will be at exactly eight-thirty in the evening Baghdad time, in a match without considerations of top or relegation, but it carries a sense of pride and the desire to end the season in the best way.

The Green Harp enters the match after a strong season in which they presented consistent levels, but they did not succeed in snatching the title from Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. The team finished the journey in second place, a position that confirms they were fierce competitors until the final rounds.

*Al-Shorta's Situation:*

1. *Ranking*: They hold second place with 81 points. A large tally reflecting the team's strength and continuity, but the gap with the leader ultimately deprived them of the title.

2. *Performance*: Al-Shorta had the second strongest attack and the second-best defense in the league.

3. *Morale*: High despite losing the title. The players want to end the season with a win in front of their fans, to confirm that the runner-up position was well-deserved, and to mentally prepare for an upcoming season where they will be required to return to the top.

Al-Minaa of Basra enters the match in a completely safe position, but they aspire for an ending befitting their history. The team experienced a fluctuating season between periods of brilliance and periods of losing points, settling in the middle of the table.

*Al-Minaa's Situation:*

1. *Ranking*: 16th place with 41 points. They secured safety officially with a comfortable margin from the danger zone, but the ambition was always greater than mere survival.

2. *Problems*: The team suffered from instability in formation and results. The attack line was not strong enough, and the defense paid the price for mistakes at crucial times.

3. *Motivation*: Primarily moral. Al-Minaa wants to end the league with a point or a win against a big team like Al-Shorta, as a gift to the Basra fans who stood by the team until the end. A positive result in the Cage will mean a lot before the transfer period.

The first-leg match at Al-Minaa's stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. Al-Shorta took the lead first, but Al-Minaa came back in the second half and snatched a deserved point. That match was one of the few games where the Harp failed to settle it this season.