 A season after, Al-Karkh achieved the Iraqi Elite Cup 3rd place again.In the 2003–04 season, after Sharar Haidar was appointed as the new president of the club, Al-Karkh didn't qualify for the second phase while in the season after, the team only qualified to the second phase.They participated in the Arab Istiqlal Championship in 2005 but were knocked out at the group stage.