Erbil: Erbil returned from Baghdad with three full points after their 1-0 victory today against Al-Karkh, in the third round of the Iraqi Stars League. The only goal of the match came early, scored by international player Ibrahim Bayesh in the 4th minute, propelling Erbil to the top of the standings with seven points, while Al-Karkh remains at the bottom with no points.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, in another match, Diyala snatched a valuable point with a 2-2 draw against Zakho at Zakho Stadium. Zakho took the lead in the 40th minute through Saifu Mboli, but Diyala equalized in the final minute of first-half stoppage time with a goal from Naseem Sayhood. Zakho regained the lead in the 67th minute through international player Sherko Karim, but Salem Ahmed secured the equalizer for Diyala in the 86th minute, ending the match in a 2-2 draw. Zakho now has four points, placing them eighth, the same as Diyala, but goal difference puts them in seventh place.

Police secured a hard-fought victory against their hosts, Golan, with a 1-0 scoreline. The lone goal was scored by professional player Lionel Atiba in the 40th minute, enough to add three points to Police’s tally and move them into ninth place in the standings with four points. Golan also has four points, but goal difference places Golan in tenth.