Superleague Round 8 (Regular Season): Al-Difaa lose their first game against Zakho

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al-Difaa (7-1) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by Zakho (7-1) 70-69. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Al-Difaa. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Zakho have an impressive five-game winning streak. They used an opportunity after Al-Difaa lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Al-Difaa. Zakho is looking forward to face Amal Nineveh (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al-Difaa will play against Nift Al-Shamal (#11) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Naft Missan (6-2) against fifth ranked Al-Hashd (5-3) on Saturday night. Host Naft Missan was defeated by Al-Hashd in 80-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Naft Missan. Al-Hashd moved-up to fourth place. Newly promoted Naft Missan dropped to the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Al Hilla (#4) was upset in Al Hilla by eighth ranked Al-Jameaa 66-51. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Hilla. Al-Jameaa (3-4) moved-up to seventh place. Al Hilla at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 8: Al Yaqdhah lost to Al Kahraba on the opponent's court 50-57. Ghaz Al-Shamal unfortunately lost to Nift Al-Shamal in a home game 57-70. Amal Nineveh recorded a loss to Sabis on the road 69-82.



Al Hilla - Al-Jameaa 51-66

Al Hilla (#4) was upset in Al Hilla by eighth ranked Al-Jameaa 66-51. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Hilla. Al-Jameaa (3-4) moved-up to seventh place. Al Hilla at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Al Kahraba - Al Yaqdhah 57-50

Everything could happen in Baghdad at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Al Kahraba and 10th ranked Al Yaqdhah had identical 2-5 record. This time Al Kahraba used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from 57-50 on Saturday night. Al Kahraba (3-5) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Amal Nineveh. Newly promoted Al Yaqdhah keeps the tenth position with six games lost. They share it with Nift Al-Shamal. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Ghaz Al-Shamal - Nift Al-Shamal 57-70

Everything could happen in Kirku at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Nift Al-Shamal and 11th ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal had identical 1-6 record. But Ghaz Al-Shamal was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Kirkuk 70-57 on Saturday night. Nift Al-Shamal (2-6) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Al Yaqdhah. Ghaz Al-Shamal lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with seven games lost. Nift Al-Shamal will meet league's leader Al-Difaa in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Ghaz Al-Shamal will play against Sabis (#6) and hope to win that game.

Naft Missan - Al-Hashd 62-80

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Naft Missan (6-2) against fifth ranked Al-Hashd (5-3) on Saturday night. Host Naft Missan was defeated by Al-Hashd in 80-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Naft Missan. Al-Hashd moved-up to fourth place. Newly promoted Naft Missan dropped to the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Al-Difaa - Zakho 69-70

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Al-Difaa (7-1) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by Zakho (7-1) 70-69. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Al-Difaa. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Zakho have an impressive five-game winning streak. They used an opportunity after Al-Difaa lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position which they share with defeated Al-Difaa. Zakho is looking forward to face Amal Nineveh (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al-Difaa will play against Nift Al-Shamal (#11) and is hoping to win this game.

Sabis - Amal Nineveh 82-69

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Sabis and 7th ranked Amal Nineveh had identical 3-4 record. This time Sabis used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from 82-69 on Saturday night. Newly promoted Sabis maintains sixth position with 4-4 record. Amal Nineveh at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with Al Kahraba. Sabis will meet at home bottom-ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal (#12) in the next round where they are favorite. Amal Nineveh will play against the league's second-placed Zakho (#2) and hope to secure a win.