Baghdad - Saba:
Duhok Football Club has made history by winning the Iraq FA Cup for the first time, defeating Zakho SC in a penalty shootout during the 32nd edition of the tournament. The all-Kurdistan Region final was held Friday evening at Al-Shaab International Stadium in Baghdad.
The match ended in a goalless draw after both regular time and extra time, despite notable efforts from both sides. Zakho’s Brazilian right-back Patrick Marcelino was sent off in the 64th minute, leaving his team with 10 men for the remainder of the game.
Goalkeepers Mohammed Saleh of Duhok and Ali Kazem of Zakho were standout performers, keeping the scores level throughout 120 minutes of play.
In the end, it was the “Mountain Hawks” of Duhok who prevailed in the penalty shootout, winning 5-3 and lifting the prestigious trophy for the first time in the club’s history. The triumph marks the first time a team from outside Baghdad has claimed the Iraq FA Cup title.
This historic win is Duhok’s second major domestic title, having previously won the Iraqi Premier League in the 2009–2010 season. It also marks their third overall title after claiming the 2025 Gulf Champions League in their debut appearance earlier this year.
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