Ali Kazem comments on his moment during the win over Zakho

The ninth round of the Iraq Stars League witnessed a thrilling football encounter filled with excitement, intensity, and strong emotions, as Newroz paid a heavy visit to Zakho at their home ground in front of a large crowd.

The match, which held breath until the final minutes, ended with a valuable and hard-fought win for Newroz by a single goal, scored by the professional Nito.

The real excitement of the match was not just about the result, but centered around the star of the night, Newroz goalkeeper Ali Kazem, who stole the spotlight with his incredible performance, a controversial save, and tears that flowed in loyalty to his old home.

Zakho entered the match armed with their home ground and a large crowd that filled the stands and created immense pressure from the very first minute.

Despite the challenging conditions and pressure from the opponent, Newroz players displayed high tactical organization and great discipline in the back lines. In a crucial moment of the match, Nito Akara managed to score the only goal of the game, finding the net against Zakho, which earned his team three valuable points that propelled Newroz up the standings.

Ali Kazem continues to prove his worth as one of the best goalkeepers in the Iraqi football scene.

Kazem successfully defended his goal valiantly, thwarting all attempts by Zakho to come back, earning him his sixth clean sheet in nine rounds played in the Iraq Stars League. This is an impressive figure that highlights the great technical value of this goalkeeper.

Ali Kazem's exceptional performance has raised major questions about his repeated exclusion from the Iraq national team, as fans and critics are demanding his continuous presence with the Iraq Stars League. However, he has not been called up in recent periods.

After the match, cameras captured a somewhat controversial moment involving Kazem, who placed his hands around his eyes mimicking the "owl gesture". This was interpreted by followers as a coded message directed at those who overlook his performance, as if he was saying: "I am here.. look at the numbers and watch the performance."

Despite his enthusiasm and controversial movements during the match, the final whistle revealed Ali Kazem's true feelings towards his former club Zakho, which he represented for three consecutive seasons.

In the press conference and his statements after the match, the goalkeeper appeared to be deeply affected to the point of tears, speaking heartfelt words saying:

"Thank God, this victory and these numbers are the result of the efforts of the entire coaching staff. Congratulations to us and hard luck to Zakho Club and its great fans."

Kazem stated: "I am very happy today to be in my home and my city.. It is an indescribable feeling to be back here again. The people in Zakho are very kind and respectful, and I lived with them for 3 wonderful seasons. The feeling of returning today as an opponent was difficult and heavy on my soul, and I couldn't control my emotions, and tears were the only solution to express what was inside me." He added, recalling the difficulty of the match: "We faced a very tough team on their home ground and in front of this intimidating crowd, and thank God for achieving the full points."

Newroz left Zakho Stadium with more than just three points, achieving a tactical victory and showcasing a goalkeeper who proved to be a tough challenge in the Iraq Stars League.

On the other hand, Ali Kazem set a great example in sports loyalty, as the pride of his showmanship and artistic challenge blended with pure tears of loyalty for the city and the fans who embraced him for years.