Duhok, Zakho to face off in Iraq Cup final after both clubs progress through semis

DUHOK — Duhok qualified for the Iraq Cup final on Saturday night with a 3–1 victory over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in a semifinal match at Duhok Stadium.

Karim Darwish opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a header, giving the home side a 1–0 lead at halftime. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya responded early in the second half with a 48th-minute equalizer from Mohammed Jawad. But Duhok pulled ahead again in the closing minutes, as Mahmoud Darwish scored in the 88th and Haroun Ahmed added a third in stoppage time.

Earlier in the day, Zakho booked its place in the final after beating Al-Shorta in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw at Zakho Stadium.

The result sets up a rare northern derby in the final, with both Duhok and Zakho representing Duhok governorate. Matches between the two bitter rivals are often fractious.