The assistant coach of Al-Ghaz Al-Shamal team, Raafat Mohammed, confirmed that his team displayed an exceptional defensive performance against Al-Police, pointing out that the technical staff will work on improving the offensive side following the goalless draw between the two teams in the Iraqi Premier League.
Mohammed stated that the team appeared good defensively but still needs to enhance the quality of the offensive performance, indicating that continuing to rely solely on defense throughout matches is not a suitable option.
He added that the players of Al-Ghaz Al-Shamal performed greatly, especially in the second half, while the first half witnessed some decline due to fatigue, travel, and the high pace of the match.
He explained that securing a point against Al-Police is important, noting that his team could have snatched all three points, describing Al-Police as a strong and respectable team.
Regarding officiating, Mohammed affirmed that the level of referees in the Iraqi league is good, pointing out that the management of matches varies from one referee to another, and that the VAR technology provides referees with more opportunities to review situations and make appropriate decisions.
Concerning the disallowed goal by player Hussein Taleb in the first half, he clarified that the referee considered there was a player obstructing the view of the Al-Police goalkeeper, stressing that the evaluation of such situations relies on the refereeing team.
Mohammed concluded his remarks by emphasizing respect for the referees' decisions, expressing hope that Al-Ghaz Al-Shamal would receive more fairness, especially during matches held at crowded stadiums.