Duhok SC earned a hard-fought 2-1 home win against title contenders Al Shorta in the Iraq Stars League on March 8, 2026. In a match that kicked off simultaneously at 04:15, Duhok pulled off a significant upset by defeating one of the league's powerhouse clubs, a result that sent shockwaves through the standings. Al Shorta, typically dominant, found themselves on the back foot early as Duhok SC capitalized on home advantage to score twice in the first half. The visitors managed to pull a goal back after the break and pressed intensely for an equalizer, but Duhok's defense held firm under pressure to secure a famous victory. The key focus point was Duhok's disciplined defensive performance and effective counter-attacking strategy, which perfectly exploited spaces left by an attacking Al Shorta side. This match result had major implications for the league table, with Al Shorta potentially dropping crucial points in the title race, while Duhok SC's points total received a massive boost towards safety or a higher mid-table finish. The Duhok manager hailed a perfect tactical performance, while the Al Shorta coach criticized his team's slow start. The starting XIs saw Al Shorta field their star attackers, but they were effectively neutralized by a determined Duhok lineup.