Al Fahad claimed a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Kadhimiya SC in the Iraq Premier Division on Thursday, 15 October 2026, producing a disciplined second-half display to take all three points from a tense encounter in Baghdad.

The match, which kicked off at 20:00 local time, was decided by a late winner after Kadhimiya had taken an early lead. Al Fahad responded with composure, equalising before the break and then striking the decisive goal in the closing stages to leave the home side empty-handed.

Match Overview

Kadhimiya SC started brightly in front of their home supporters and needed just 12 minutes to open the scoring. A quick exchange on the right flank released their forward into the penalty area, and he calmly slotted the ball past the Al Fahad goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The early goal lifted the home side, who pressed high and forced several corners in the first quarter of the match.

Al Fahad, however, gradually settled into the game. Their midfield began to win the second balls and their wide players started to stretch the Kadhimiya defence. The equaliser arrived in the 34th minute when a well-worked move down the left ended with a low cross that was turned in from close range. From that point on, the visitors looked the more likely side to score again.

Key Moments

• 12' – Kadhimiya SC 1-0: A sharp counter-attack finished with a composed low finish inside the box.
• 34' – Kadhimiya SC 1-1: Al Fahad equalise after a flowing move down the left and a close-range conversion.
• 58' – Big save: The Al Fahad goalkeeper denies Kadhimiya's striker with a strong one-handed stop.
• 78' – Kadhimiya SC 1-2: Al Fahad score the winner from a set-piece, with a header glancing into the far corner.
• 90+3' – Late pressure: Kadhimiya send bodies forward but cannot find a second equaliser.

Tactical Story

Kadhimiya SC set up to press aggressively in the opening half-hour and were rewarded with the first goal. But as the game wore on, their intensity dropped and spaces appeared between midfield and defence. Al Fahad's coach adjusted his shape, pushing one of the central midfielders higher to support the striker and asking the full-backs to overlap more frequently.

That change turned the contest. Al Fahad dominated possession in the second half, completed more passes in the final third and created several clear chances. Kadhimiya, meanwhile, became increasingly reliant on long balls forward and struggled to keep the ball when they won it back. The winning goal came from a corner, a deliverable that Al Fahad had clearly targeted as a weakness in the home side's marking.

Standout Players

Al Fahad's central midfielder was the engine of the comeback, breaking up play and linking defence with attack. His ability to carry the ball through the lines repeatedly drew fouls and created set-piece opportunities. The right winger also impressed, delivering the assist for the equaliser and causing problems throughout the second half.

For Kadhimiya SC, their goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the score level for long periods, while the opening goalscorer was a constant threat on the break. However, the home side's defensive organisation let them down at the decisive moment, and they were punished for switching off at the corner.

Season Impact

The victory moves Al Fahad into a more comfortable position in the Iraq Premier Division standings and extends their unbeaten run on the road. For Kadhimiya SC, it is a missed opportunity to climb the table, especially after taking an early lead at home. The result also improves Al Fahad's recent head-to-head record against Kadhimiya, giving them a psychological edge for the return fixture later in the season.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round of league fixtures, with Kadhimiya eager to tighten up defensively and Al Fahad looking to build on a resilient away performance.