Ibrahim Baish faces Al Quwa Al Jawiya for the first time

Francois Hariri Stadium in Erbil is set to host one of the standout matches of the second round of the Iraqi Premier League, as Erbil face off against Al Quwa Al Jawiya tomorrow evening at 9 PM Baghdad time.

However, what gives the match a special flavor is the anticipated confrontation between Erbil star Ibrahim Bayesh and his former team Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, in the first meeting he has had with the "Saqour" since leaving their ranks several seasons ago.

Baish had a successful stint with Al Quwa Al Jawiya before moving to Saudi Arabia with Al Riyadh, then to Dhafra, before returning to the Iraqi Premier League through Erbil.

Tomorrow's match will be different for him. He faces former teammates and fans who know him well, which puts him in a double test: to prove himself with his new team and to confirm that his decision to leave was the right one.

Arbil enter the match with high spirits after their opening win, hoping to leverage home advantage and their fans to secure a second consecutive victory and confirm that they are serious contenders for the league title this season, especially after finishing last season in third place.

In contrast, Al Quwa Al Jawiya, the defending champions of last season, arrive in Erbil seeking their first three points after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Nawroz in the opening round. The team boasts names capable of deciding any match, but they are aware of the difficulty of the task against a team backed by their supporters.

Last season's encounters between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw in Baghdad and a 0-0 draw in Erbil, confirming that their clashes are usually close and decided by small details.

For Erbil, a win would mean staying at the top and sending a clear message that they are ready to compete. For Al-Jawiya, the three points would be an important step to compensate for a rocky start and to maintain the title.

Away from the points, the match is titled "Baish against his former team", which will add extra excitement both on and off the pitch. Erbil fans are expecting a decisive touch from him, while Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya players will be particularly focused on stopping his threat.