The Basra derby is the meeting of the association football clubs Al-Minaa and Naft Al-Basra (formerly Naft Al-Junoob until 2020), both of which are based in Basra, Southern Iraq. The two clubs have been rivals since the 2004âÂÂ05 season when Naft Al-Basra club started playing in the Premier League. The clubs are respectively from Al-Maqal and Al-Tamimia, in the same city Basra, and for this reason a match between the two teams is sometimes called a "Basra derby". Another name is often used in the press is "South derby", which comes from the location of Basra province in southern Iraq. The animosity intensified since the first match, as Naft Al-Basra was not expected to win Al-Minaa 1âÂÂ0, and the exaggerated protest by Al-Minaa supporters to referee of match Khalil Yousuf prompted him to retire arbitration forever. and this animosity reached a peak during the 2010âÂÂ11 season, when both teams played at the end of the season in the Premier League in a match, that if it end at a draw, Naft Al-Basra will relegate to the Iraqi First Division League. Indeed, the match ended in a draw, and Al-Minaa fans celebrated the relegation of Naft Al-Basra, and considered it a winning of league title. In the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Naft Al-Basra returned to avenge Al-Minaa, when both teams played at the end of the season in the Premier League. Al-Minaa needed two goals to go to the final, but Naft Al-Basra played a defensive squad until the end of the match, although they were losing 1âÂÂ0.
The results of some of these match led to the dismissal of some coaches. In the 2007âÂÂ08 season, the Naft Al-Basra management dismissed the coach Abdul Razzaq Ahmed after the match ended against Al-Minaa 3âÂÂ3, and in the 2012âÂÂ13 season, the Al-Minaa administration dismissed the coach Aqeel Hato after the match ended for Naft Al-Basra 4âÂÂ3.
Since 2005, there have been 36 competitive Basra Derbies. Al-Minaa hold the precedence in these matches, with 14 victories to Naft Al-Basra's 9; there have been 13 draws. The most decisive result in an Al-MinaaâÂÂNaft Al-Basra game is Al-Minaa's 4âÂÂ1 victory at Al Mina'a Stadium, their home ground, on March 11, 2005. There have been two incidences of 3âÂÂ1, Al-Minaa have been won in both matches; home in December 2005, and away in January 2006.
<section begin=map /> <section end=map /> Al-Minaa began to play in the league soon after its inception in Iraq, starting in the 1975âÂÂ76 season. It is one of the oldest clubs (established in 1931), and one of the most popular teams. Naft Al-Basra is a new club (established in 1979). It played its first top-flight league match in the 2004âÂÂ05 season. The first match between the two clubs was dated as 24 January 2005, as Naft Al-Basra hosted Al-Minaa in Premier League. Naft Al-Basra beat Al-Minaa 1âÂÂ0 in the inaugural match. The second match at Al-Minaa Stadium came on 11 March of the same year â Al-Minaa won 4âÂÂ1. Four more matches were played over the next two seasons, all Al-Minaa victories. Then, two matches between the two clubs took place during the 2007âÂÂ08 season; all ended with a draw. Naft Al-Basra took precedence over the following seasons, with plenty of draw results.
Top Basra teams Al-Minaa and Naft Al-Basra met at the conclusion of the First Thaghr Al Iraq Championship organized by Basra Football Association from December 14, 2009 till December 21. Referees Ahmad Shaker, Lafta Hameed, Hazem Mohammed and Rashid Hussein lead the match. Al-Minaa advanced to the final after collecting 7 points by winning against Naft Maysan 3âÂÂ1, Ghaz Al-Junoob 4âÂÂ1. To that, Naft Al-Basra qualified after collecting the same number of points as it beat Al-Nassriya 3âÂÂ0 and Al-Bahri 2âÂÂ1. Al-Minaa won Thaghr Al Iraq Championship after winning over Naft Al-Basra at the final with a score of 2âÂÂ1. Al Minaaâ goals were scored by Nayef Falah at the 46th minute and Hassan Hadi Ahmad at the 79th minute. On the other hand, the sole goal of Naft Al-Basra was scored by Muhannad Yousuf at the 10th minute of the game. The two teams shared the lead of the game that was led by referee Ahmad Shaker. The referee gave red cards to 3 players: Amjad Hameed, Alaa Nayrouz from Naft Al-Basra team and Al-Minaa player Ehsan Hadi.
Up to and including 1 April 2024, there have been 35 competitive firstâÂÂclass meetings between the two teams since the first meeting in 2005.
Premier League saw 66 goals scored, 37 for Al-Minaa and 29 for Naft Al-Basra.<br> Players in bold represent those who are currently playing for Al-Minaa or Naft Al-Basra.