Full name | Al-Zawraa Sports Club | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Al-Nawaris (The Gulls) Al-Zaeem (The Leader) | |||
Founded | 29 June 1969; 55 years ago (1969-06-29) as Al-Muwasalat | |||
Ground | Al-Zawraa Stadium | |||
Capacity | 15,443 | |||
President | Falah Hassan | |||
Manager | Essam Hamad | |||
League | Iraq Stars League | |||
2022β23 | Iraqi Premier League, 3rd of 20 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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Al-Zawraa Sports Club (Arabic: ΩΨ§Ψ―Ω Ψ§ΩΨ²ΩΨ±Ψ§Ψ‘ Ψ§ΩΨ±ΩΨ§ΨΆΩ) is: an Iraqi professional sports club based in Utayfia, Karkh District (near Tigris River), Baghdad. Their football team competes in the: Iraq Stars League, theββtop-flight of Iraqi football. Al-Zawraa have won the most major honours of any club in Iraq, having won 14 league titles, 16 Iraq FA Cups and 5 Iraqi Super Cupsβall record totals.
Al-Zawraa also won the Umm al-Ma'arik Championship/Baghdad Championship a joint-record three times. Al-Zawraa have won the domestic double a record eight times. And became only the second Iraqi teamββto win the domestic quadruple in the 1999β2000 season. In 2022, Al-Zawraa opened the new all-seater Al-Zawraa Stadium which replaced the "club's old ground at the same site."
Al-Zawraa finished fourth at the 1996β97 Asian Club Championship and were runners-up of the 1999β2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. Al-Zawraa have competed in the AFC Champions League group stage three times and have reached the knockout rounds of the AFC Cup three times. The team's home colour is white, thus they are nicknamed "Al-Nawaris" (lit. 'The Gulls').
Historyβ»
Foundationβ»
Al-Zawraa were founded on 29 June 1969 as Al-Muwasalat, which means 'Transportation'. Al-Muwasalat participated in the Iraq Central FA Fourth Division in the 1969β70 season. In the 1970β71 season, they won the fourth division and "were promoted to the third division." The 1971β72 season saw the establishment of 'Al-Muwasalat B' (the club's B team), with the merger of Al-Bareed B and Al-Matar Al-Madani, "which joined the fourth division." In their first season, Al-Muwasalat B won the fourth division under coach Rasheed Radhi and were promoted to the third division, beating Al-Shabab 2β1 on 1 June 1972 at Al-Kashafa Stadium.
On 16 November 1972, "the club was renamed to Al-Zawraa." The 1972β73 season saw both Al-Zawraa and Al-Zawraa B competing in the third division. And in the 1973β74 season, Al-Zawraa B won the third division title after a 2β1 win over Indhibat Al-Shorta, securing promotion to the second division. As they were the club's B team, the A and B teams merged back together, and the club was also merged with another club called Saleem Sports Club, to compete in the newly founded Iraqi National Second Division in the 1974β75 season. Al-Zawraa won the second division title that season under Rasheed Radhi's leadership, being promoted into the Iraqi National League for the first time in their history for the 1975β76 season.
A club named Al-Naqil (meaning 'Transport'), who were attached to the Ministry of Transport, were the runners-up of the 1974β75 Iraqi National League, but the club was dissolved due to a lack of financial backing. Al-Naqil's players joined newly promoted side Al-Zawraa, who were founded by, the Minister of Transport, Adnan Ayoub Sabri Al-Ezzi. This meant that Al-Zawraa became one of the strongest clubs in Iraq from their first season in the top-flight, which was the 1975β76 season, where they managed to win both the league title and the Iraq FA Cup. In the 1976β77 season, Al-Zawraa retained their title, winning the league undefeated, and the 1978β79 season saw Al-Zawraa win the league undefeated again, also winning the Iraq FA Cup to secure their second double.
1980sβ»
The 1980s is the only decade in which Al-Zawraa failed to win a league title. However, they managed to win three Iraq FA Cup titles that decade, with victories in the 1980β81, 1981β82 and 1988β89 seasons. Al-Zawraa also won the first ever Arab Cooperation Council Club Championship in 1989, and retained their title in 1990.
1990sβ»
They began the 1990s by winning the Iraq FA Cup again and qualifying to the 1990 Arab Club Champions Cup, which was eventually abandoned. The 1990s would go on to become the most successful in Al-Zawraa's history, as they were crowned champions of Iraq for the fourth time in 1990β91 and also won another Iraq FA Cup to secure another double. Al-Zawraa won the first ever edition of the Umm al-Ma'arik Championship in the 1991β92 season and they succeeded in winning another Iraq FA Cup in the 1992β93 season.
The next three seasons were three of the best in Al-Zawraa's history; they won three consecutive doubles in 1993β94, 1994β95 and 1995β96. They also participated in their first ever AFC tournaments, being knocked out in the first round of the 1993β94 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the second round of the 1995 Asian Club Championship. Al-Zawraa recorded their best participation in the Asian Club Championship in 1996β97 as they reached the semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth. Al-Zawraa won the 1997β98 Iraq FA Cup which saw manager Anwar Jassam win his record fifth FA Cup, and followed that up by winning their first Iraqi Super Cup with a 1β0 win over league champions Al-Shorta. In the 1997β98 Asian Club Championship, Al-Zawraa reached the second round before being knocked out.
Al-Zawraa continued to dominate Iraqi football by winning the double in 1998β99 and securing their first domestic quadruple in 1999β2000 by winning all four domestic trophies. They also reached the final of the 1999β2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup, the furthest that they have ever reached in a major continental competition. But lost 1β0 to Shimizu S-Pulse of Japan.
2000sβ»
As champions, Al-Zawraa qualified for the 2000β01 Asian Club Championship but were knocked out in the first round. Al-Zawraa won their third consecutive league title in 2000β01 and also won the Iraqi Super Cup, while they reached the second round of the 2001β02 Asian Club Championship and lost to Al-Sadd in 2002β03 AFC Champions League qualification.
Al-Zawraa won the Baghdad Championship in the 2003β04 season, becoming joint-record winners of the competition which had changed its name from Umm al-Ma'arik Championship. In the 2003β04 Arab Champions League, Al-Zawraa were knocked out at the round of 16, while they were knocked out at the group stage of the 2005 AFC Champions League. In the 2005β06 season, Al-Zawraa secured their 11th league title by defeating Al-Najaf via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, while in the 2005β06 Arab Champions League, they were defeated over two legs by MC Algiers in the round of 16. Al-Zawraa also participated in the 2007 AFC Champions League (knocked out in the group stage) and the 2009 AFC Cup (knocked out in the round of 16 by Erbil).
2010sβ»
In 2010β11, they returned to the top of Iraqi football by winning their 12th league title after a penalty shootout win over Erbil. This qualified them to the 2012 AFC Cup but they were knocked out in the round of 16. Al-Zawraa won the 2015β16 league title without losing game in what was their 13th league title. They then won the 2016β17 Iraq FA Cup and 2017 Iraqi Super Cup titles, coupling the latter with the 2017β18 Iraqi Premier League title which saw them extend their national record to 14 league triumphs. After knockout stage and group stage exits in the AFC Cup in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Al-Zawraa returned to the AFC Champions League in 2019, collecting eight points. But failing to advance to the next round. The team had two impressive games against Al-Wasl, beating them 5β0 in Karbala and 5β1 at Zabeel Stadium.
2020sβ»
Al-Zawraa won the 2018β19 Iraq FA Cup, thus qualifying to the qualifying rounds of the AFC Champions League in 2020 and 2021 where they were eliminated both times. Al-Zawraa won their fifth Iraqi Super Cup title in 2021.
Stadiumβ»
Al-Zawraa currently play at Al-Zawraa Stadium, which has a capacity of 15,443. Al-Zawraa play their derby matches against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta and Al-Talaba at Al-Shaab Stadium in order to accommodate more spectators.
Supportersβ»
Ultras The Kings is the name of the ultras group of Al-Zawraa fans.
Current squadβ»
First-team squadβ»
- As of 8 February 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loanβ»
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loanβ»
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable playersβ»
For a list of all Al-Zawraa players, see List of Al-Zawraa players
Rivalriesβ»
Al-Zawraa's main rivals are Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, with whom they contest the Iraqi El Clasico. They are also rivals with Al-Shorta and Al-Talaba.
Managersβ»
The table below shows Al-Zawraa managers of the last 10 years that have won noteworthy titles. For a more detailed and chronological list of Al-Zawraa managers from 1969 onwards with their trophies, see List of Al-Zawraa managers.
Notable managersβ»
Name | Period | Trophies |
---|---|---|
Basim Qasim | 2015β16 | Iraqi Premier League: 2015β16 Winners |
Essam Hamad | 2016β17 | Iraq FA Cup: 2016β17 Winners |
Ayoub Odisho | 2017β19 | Iraqi Super Cup: 2017 Winners Iraqi Premier League: 2017β18 Winners |
Hakim Shaker | 2019 | Iraq FA Cup: 2018β19 Winners |
Essam Hamad | 2021 | Iraqi Super Cup: 2021 Winners |
Current technical staffβ»
Position | Name | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Manager: | Hossam El Badry | |
Assistant manager: | TBD | |
Goalkeeping coach: | TBD | |
Fitness coach: | TBD | |
Administrative director: | TBD | |
Age teams supervisor: | TBD | |
Age teams supervisor: | TBD | |
Reserves coach: | TBD | |
U19 Manager: | Abdul Mohsin Mohammed | |
U16 Manager: | Amir Qasim | |
Women's futsal coach: | Samir Saad |
Updated to match played August 2023
Source:
Honoursβ»
Nationalβ»
Competition | Titles | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Iraq Stars League | 14 | 1975β76, 1976β77, 1978β79, 1990β91, 1993β94, 1994β95, 1995β96, 1998β99, 1999β2000, 2000β01, 2005β06, 2010β11, 2015β16, 2017β18 |
Iraqi Premier Division League (second tier) | 1 | 1974β75 |
Iraq FA Cup | 16 | 1975β76, 1978β79, 1980β81, 1981β82, 1988β89, 1989β90, 1990β91, 1992β93, 1993β94, 1994β95, 1995β96, 1997β98, 1998β99, 1999β2000, 2016β17, 2018β19 |
Umm al-Ma'arik Championship / Baghdad Championship |
3 | 1991β92, 1999β2000, 2003β04 |
Iraqi Super Cup | 5 | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2017, 2021 |
- record
- shared record
Regionalβ»
Competition | Titles | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Iraq Central FA Third Division | 1 | 1973β74 |
Iraq Central FA Fourth Division | 1 | 1970β71 |
Friendlyβ»
Competition | Titles | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Tournament for the Armed Forces | 1 | 2015 |
Tishreen Tournament | 1 | 2004 |
Al-Zawraa Championship | 1 | 2004 |
Al-Quds International Championship | 1 | 2000 |
Al-Shaab Friendship Tournament | 1 | 1999 |
Arab Cooperation Council Club Championship | 2 | 1989, 1990 |
Victory Championship | 2 | 1984, 1986 |
Statisticsβ»
In domestic competitionsβ»
Nationalβ»
Year | League | Iraq Cup | Super Cup | Umm al-Ma'arik |
---|---|---|---|---|
1974β75 | Promoted (Div. 1) | not held | Started in 1986 |
Started in 1991 |
1975β76 | Winner | Winner | ||
1976β77 | Winner | not held | ||
1977β78 | Runner-up | Quarter-final | ||
1978β79 | Winner | Winner | ||
1979β80 | Runner-up | Semi-final | ||
1980β81 | Seventh place | Winner | ||
1981β82 | Fifth place | Winner | ||
1982β83 | Seventh place | Quarter-final | ||
1983β84 | Fifth place | - | ||
1984β85 | not finished | not finished | ||
1985β86 | Ninth place | not held | did not qualify | |
1986β87 | Seventh place | - | not held | |
1987β88 | Fifth place | Runner-up | not held | |
1988β89 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
1989β90 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
1990β91 | Winner | Winner | not held | |
1991β92 | Runner-up | Second round | not held | Winner |
1992β93 | Runner-up | Winner | not held | Third place |
1993β94 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
1994β95 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
1995β96 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
1996β97 | Runner-up | Semi-final | Runner-up | Runner-up |
1997β98 | Third place | Winner | Winner | Third place |
1998β99 | Winner | Winner | not held | Group stage |
1999β2000 | Winner | Winner | Winner | Winner |
2000β01 | Winner | not held | Winner | Runner-up |
2001β02 | Fourth place | Quarter-final | Runner-up | Group stage |
2002β03 | not finished | Round of 32 | did not qualify | Third place |
2003β04 | not finished | not held | not held | Winner |
2004β05 | Fourth place | not held | not held | Abolished in 2004 |
2005β06 | Winner | not held | not held | |
2006β07 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
2007β08 | Runner-up | not held | not held | |
2008β09 | Seventh place | not held | not held | |
2009β10 | Third place | not held | not held | |
2010β11 | Winner | not held | not held | |
2011β12 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
2012β13 | Fourth place | not finished | not held | |
2013β14 | Sixth place | not held | not held | |
2014β15 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
2015β16 | Winner | Runner-up | not held | |
2016β17 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
2017β18 | Winner | not held | Winner | |
2018β19 | Third place | Winner | not held | |
2019β20 | not finished | not finished | Runner-up | |
2020β21 | Runner-up | Runner-up | not held | |
2021β22 | Sixth place | Semi-final | Winner | |
2022β23 | Third place | Quarter-final | did not qualify |
In international competitionsβ»
- As of 12 December 2023
Competition | Record | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | |
AFC Champions League | 44 | 19 | 10 | 15 | 043.18 |
Asian Cup Winners' Cup | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 062.50 |
AFC Cup | 32 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 046.88 |
Arab Club Champions Cup | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 031.25 |
Total | 100 | 44 | 23 | 33 | 044.00 |
Performance in AFC competitionsβ»
- AFC Champions League: 7 appearances
- Asian Club Championship: 5 appearances
- Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 2 appearances
- AFC Cup: 5 appearances
Individual honoursβ»
- The following players have played in the FIFA Confederations Cup whilst playing for Al-Zawraa:
- 2009 β Mohammed Gassid
See alsoβ»
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Al Zawraa SC". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "ΩΨͺΨ§Ψ¦Ψ¬ Ψ§ΩΨΉΨ§Ω 1989". niiiis.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "ΩΨͺΨ§Ψ¦Ψ¬ Ψ§ΩΨΉΨ§Ω 1990". niiiis.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "Iraq hosts AFC Champions League for the first time as Al-Zawraa thrash Al-Wasl on historic night". Arab News. 11 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Al-Quds International Championship". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "Third Al Sha'ab Friendship Tournament 1999 (Sharjah)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
External linksβ»
- Official website (in Arabic)
- All-time coaches on RSSSF