Hashem opens fire after Duhok's hat-trick

The echoes of the heavy defeat that Al Zawraa suffered by three goals to nil against their hosts Duhok in the ninth round of the Iraqi Premier League continue to cast a heavy shadow over the football community in the capital. In a brutally frank and harsh analytical reading, former international star and sports analyst Salam Hashim launched a fierce attack on the team's technical and physical system, asserting that the loss was not just a passing stumble, but was "fully deserved" and reveals a deep flaw in the mentality of a team aspiring to compete for the title. Hashim's technical analysis aimed to clarify the reasons behind the white collapse at the Eagles' den through several key points: Hashim expressed his astonishment at the lack of urgency displayed by Al Zawraa's players, stating that the team entered the match "as if they were not competing for the title", despite being in second place in the standings and having the opportunity to tighten the gap at the top. He pointed out that the team suffered from a "mental focus of zero" from the very first minutes, which was evident in their extremely poor defensive positioning and the absence of counter-cover, making Al Zawraa's players easy prey for Duhok's players, who excelled in their aggression and physicality. In his analysis of the tactical proceedings, Hashim explained that the second half witnessed a complete collapse in the team's strategy; the defense turned into "open and vulnerable spaces" that Duhok's attackers exploited with exceptional skill. Hashim attributed this disintegration to a severe weakness and a deep gap in the midfield, which failed to perform the linking process and completely failed to support the defense during the transition from attacking to defensive situations (defensive retreat), leaving the goalkeeper and defenders in direct and complicated confrontations against the opponent's rapid attacks. The former international star did not hide his shock at the players' physical performance, asserting that it is supposed to be natural after the international break for the team to be in its best physical and technical condition due to having enough rest and preparation. However, what happened on the pitch was the complete opposite. Hashim concluded his statements with a biting remark reflecting the extent of the poor performance displayed by the seagulls, saying: "It is fortunate for Al Zawraa that they only lost by three goals", pointing out that the recklessness in finishing attacks from Duhok alone prevented a more historic and severe result.