Mansourian continues impressive run with Al Talaba in Iraqi league
Iranian head coach Alireza Mansourian continued his impressive start in the Iraq Stars League as his Al Talaba side defeated Al Gharraf 3–1 at home in the latest round of top-flight fixtures on Saturday.
Zaid Ismael gave Mansourian’s side an early lead in the ninth minute at Al Talaba Stadium, before Nigerian midfielder Kingsley Kuku drew the visitors level from the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppage time.
Habib Oueslati restored the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes after the restart, with Saif Rasheed adding the third goal six minutes later.
The victory lifted Al Talaba – which had managed just three wins in seven matches before Mansourian’s appointment last November – to fifth in the league table with 30 points from 16 games, three points adrift of leaders Al Karma.
The result marked Mansourian’s sixth win in nine matches in charge, with his only defeat coming in a 2-1 home setback against Al Mina’a SC a fortnight ago.