Iraq 1 - 0 Saudi Arabia
The final score in the Asian Cup is a first ever
victory for a nation fractured by invasion, war and terror - and united in
sport.
The final score in the Asian Cup is a first ever victory for a nation fractured by invasion, war and terror - and united in sport. To the best of my recollection, the Iraqis have never before made it past the quarter finals of the Asian Cup.
The winners of this quadrennial tournament managed to find a coach - an old Brazilian fox named Jorvan Vieira - who came on board 2 months ago and put together a united team of Sunnis and Shi’a and Kurds who played together, today, like a side that had been together for years.
Thousands of Iraqis have spilled onto the streets to celebrate their football squad’s Asian Cup victory, firing guns into the air despite a government ban.
Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. Celebratory gunfire was heard in Baghdad, where authorities had banned vehicles and urged fans not to gather. It was feared crowds could be targets for bombers. Some 50 people died in attacks after last week’s semi-final.
Meanwhile at the stadium in Jakarta, the atmosphere was electric. There is huge sympathy and support here for the Iraqi team, for their difficulties in training and the continuing violence at home.
The team said they wanted to give Iraq something to celebrate as a nation - they have done it - and many others in Indonesia are celebrating with them.
Bravo!
Posted: Sun - July 29, 2007 at 11:27 AM