Iraq U23 bounced back from their opening defeat with a crucial 2-0 win over Oman U23 in the Gulf Olympic Cup on December 7th, 2025. The match, starting at 20:00, was a must-win for Iraq to keep their tournament hopes alive, and they responded with a professional performance. Iraq took the lead in the first half and controlled the tempo of the game, adding a second goal after the break to seal the victory. The clean sheet was a particular positive for an Iraqi defense that was breached in their first match. This 2-0 result earned Iraq their first three points of the competition, getting their campaign back on track, while Oman's defeat left them still searching for their first win.