Basem Qassem: Disappointing Result, We Aim to Improve

Al-Zawraa's head coach Bassem Qassem expressed his disappointment with the goalless draw 0-0 against Al-Minaa on Saturday evening, in the opening match of the Iraqi Premier League at Al-Zawraa Stadium, asserting that his team was closer to winning but paid the price for wasting opportunities.

Team captain and defender Ali Adnan discussed the details of the match, stressing the importance of correcting mistakes quickly before the next round.

Bassem Qassem said at the press conference after the match:

"Honestly, the result is disappointing. We played at home in front of our fans, and our only goal was to win and collect the three points. We dominated most of the match and created clear chances, but we couldn't convert our superiority into goals."

He added: "The first half was fairly even, but in the second half, we imposed our character and reached the port's goal several times. Massis Artin's shot in the 88th minute was a clear goal, and goalkeeper Abd Salim denied us the win."

The coach stated: "The problem we faced today was the final touch and composure in front of goal. We can't create 4 or 5 chances and not score. This needs to be addressed quickly because the league is long and we can't afford to drop points at home."

Regarding Al-Mina's performance, he said: "I respect Al-Mina and their organized team that plays with determination. They were not affected by the crowd pressure and defended well, relying on counter-attacks. But we are the ones who bear the responsibility because we did not secure the match when we had the opportunity."

He concluded: "One point is better than nothing, but it’s not our ambition. We will work this week on the psychological, physical, and technical aspects. The next challenge is tougher, and we must come back stronger."

Ali Adnan of Al-Zawraa stated:

"Football is like this. When you don't score, you concede, and when you don't take your chances, you pay the price. We were the better team in the second half and pressed, but the ball just wouldn't go in."

He added: "The fans were present and supported us from start to finish, and they deserve the win. We apologize to them for this result, and we promise that the future will be better. This is just a point at the beginning of the road, not the end of the world."

Regarding the team's defensive performance, he said: "We kept a clean sheet, and that's a positive thing. Al-Mina is a strong team with fast players. We approached the match seriously and didn't give them space, but offensively we lacked decisiveness."

He concluded: "The league is still in its early stages. We have a week to work and correct mistakes. We want to come back in the next round and make our fans happy with three points. I have great confidence in the players and our coaching staff."

With this draw, Al-Zawraa starts their league campaign with one point, in a match that revealed the team's need for a decisive striker and more effectiveness in front of goal.

Al-Minaa leaves Baghdad with an important point that reflects the team's character and organization, confirming that they will be a tough contender this season.