Iraq U23 began their AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying journey with a hard-earned 1-0 win against Oman U23 on September 6, 2025. This narrow victory in a tight Gulf derby provides Iraq with a perfect start and three valuable points in a competitive group. The match was a closely fought affair with few clear chances, decided by a single goal likely scored in the first half. Iraq's defense, marshaled effectively, held firm against Oman's attempts to find an equalizer in the second period. The key moment was Iraq's clinical finish from a limited opportunity, showcasing the difference at this level. Oman U23 pushed until the end but could not find a way past a disciplined Iraqi backline. This result positions Iraq well in the early group standings, while Oman must bounce back quickly. The Iraq manager highlighted his team's resilience and game management, and the Omani coach pointed to a lack of precision in the final third as the reason for the defeat.