The assistant coach of Gas Al-Shamal team, Raafat Mohammed, confirmed that his team displayed impressive defensive performance against Al-Shorta, pointing out that the technical staff will work on improving the offensive aspect following the goalless draw between the two teams in the Iraqi Stars League.
Mohammed stated that the team appeared good defensively, but still needs to enhance the quality of its offensive play, indicating that relying solely on defense throughout matches is not a suitable option.
He added that the Gas Al-Shamal players delivered a strong performance, especially in the second half, while the first half saw some drop due to fatigue, travel, and the high pace of the match.
He clarified that obtaining a point against Al-Shorta is significant, noting that his team was capable of snatching all three points, describing Al-Shorta as a strong and respectable team.
Regarding the refereeing, Mohammed confirmed that the level of referees in the Iraqi league is good, mentioning that the management of matches varies from one referee to another, and that VAR technology provides referees with a greater opportunity to review incidents and make appropriate decisions.
Concerning the disallowed goal by player Hussein Taleb in the first half, he explained that the referee considered the presence of a player obstructing the view of Al-Shorta's goalkeeper, affirming that the evaluation of such cases is up to the refereeing team.
Mohammed concluded his remarks by emphasizing respect for the referees' decisions, expressing hope for Gas Al-Shamal to receive more fairness, especially during matches played in crowded stadiums.