1997–98 Iraqi Premier League

The 1997–98 Iraqi Premier League was the 24th season of the competition since its foundation in 1974. For the first time in Iraqi football history, there were three teams that were in contention for the title on the last day of the season: Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta and Al-Zawraa. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya were playing Al-Zawraa on the final day (22 May) at the same time as Al-Shorta played Al-Sulaikh.

Iraqi Premier League
Season1997–98
ChampionsAl-Shorta
(2nd title)
RelegatedAl-Mosul
Al-Kut
Al-Sinaa
1999–2000 Asian Club ChampionshipAl-Shorta
1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' CupAl-Zawraa
Top goalscorerMahmoud Majeed
(22 goals)

Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya only needed a win to secure the title, whereas Al-Shorta needed them to lose or draw and needed to win themselves; Al-Zawraa needed to beat Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and needed Al-Shorta to draw or lose if they wanted to win the title. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya drew 1–1 with Al-Zawraa, but Al-Shorta were losing 2–1 against Al-Sulaikh with six minutes plus stoppage time left. Al-Shorta managed to score twice in those last minutes including a stoppage time penalty kick to win 3–2 and thus clinch the league title.

Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya players and fans thought that Al-Shorta had drawn their game and celebrated on the pitch thinking they had won the league; the manager Ayoub Odisho was given 'bumps' by the players and began a live TV interview, telling the cameras how happy he was to have won the league. It was not until midway through the interview that the stadium announcer announced that Al-Shorta had won 3–2 and had therefore won the league; Odisho stopped talking and stood still with a shocked expression upon hearing the news in what is one of the league's most famous moments. Al-Shorta scored in all 30 of their matches.[1][2]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Al-Shorta (C) 30 23 4 3 71 30 +41 73 1999–2000 Asian Club Championship
2 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 30 22 5 3 67 21 +46 71
3 Al-Zawraa 30 21 7 2 70 22 +48 70 1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup[lower-alpha 1]
4 Al-Najaf 30 18 8 4 58 22 +36 62
5 Al-Talaba 30 18 7 5 67 28 +39 61
6 Al-Jaish 30 12 8 10 37 37 0 44
7 Al-Minaa 30 12 3 15 29 40 −11 39
8 Al-Naft 30 9 11 10 37 33 +4 38
9 Maysan 30 9 8 13 26 40 −14 35
10 Al-Sulaikh 30 9 7 14 23 35 −12 34
11 Diyala 30 7 10 13 38 48 −10 31
12 Salahaddin 30 7 7 16 26 40 −14 28
13 Samaraa 30 6 7 17 26 55 −29 25
14 Al-Mosul 30 4 9 17 27 72 −45 21 Relegated to Iraq Division One
15 Al-Kut 30 3 8 19 25 65 −40 17
16 Al-Sinaa 30 1 7 22 19 58 −39 10
Source: Al-Zubaidi Archive
(C) Champion.
Notes:
  1. Al-Zawraa qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup by winning the Iraq FA Cup.

Top goalscorers
Pos Scorer Goals Team
1 Mahmoud Majeed 22 Al-Shorta
2 Alaa Kadhim 18 Al-Talaba
3 Hussam Fawzi 17 Al-Zawraa
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References
  1. Al-Sabti, Ali (2014). Iraqi League History 1974-2011. Iraq.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Al-Munshi, Dr.Dhia (2005). Iraqi Football Encyclopedia: Chico.. Jamoli… and football in Iraq. Citadel Printing & Design, Al-Saadoun, Baghdad.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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