Posted on 07/26/2007 1:42:50 AM PDT by Allegra
BANGKOK, Thailand: Against enormous odds, Iraq booked a place in its first ever Asian Cup final Wednesday, but in order to win a remarkable title this coming Sunday, it must beat a Saudi Arabian side that progressed to the decider in impressive fashion.
Iraq beat South Korea in a penalty shootout after the match ended scoreless, prompting celebrations across the battle-scarred Gulf nation.
Later Wednesday, Saudi Arabia won out in the game of the tournament thus far, beating two-time defending champion Japan 3-2 in a captivating match that saw all five goals scored in just over 20 minutes of playing time.
If the skills and the thrills were in Hanoi for the clash between Asian Cup heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Japan, the emotion and the drama was in Kuala Lumpur where Iraq managed to put its painful off-field distractions behind it to reach the final.
At the center of the delirious post-match celebrations was goalkeeper Noor Sabri, whose crucial save in the penalty shootout proved decisive.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
I want to relate what a couple of my translators told me today.
There is a big banner on the soccer stadium here in central Baghdad that says something along the lines of "The Coalition Forces Congratulate the Iraq National Football Team on Their Success in the Asian Cup."
One of my translators told me that when he first saw this, he was so moved that he wept. The other told me that he was very proud that Iraq's American friends are supporting them in the Asian Cup.
They went on to tell me that Iraqis are now starting to talk about wishing that Iraq could become America's 51st state. I kid you not; they told me this is starting to be heard more and more around the streets of Baghdad.
Take THAT, media!
Ping!
I hope the Iraqi team beats the Saudis. Iraqis really could need a moral boosting victory over the Saudi Wahabbis who export death and destruction. A match between Iraq and Iran would be fun too.
Any idea what their chances are against the Saudis?
I hope they win big!
A good soccer bump!
Saw both the matches yesterday.
The Iraqis played well but it was more that the S.Koreans committed suicide in the shootouts in the end. The match was a bit lack-lustre even for a semifinal.
On the contrary, the Japanese played explosive football but the Saudis were luckier. A couple of good goals to boot.
Based on talent, my money would be on the Saudis but I bet they’re exhausted. Hope the Iraqis do win the finals!
Saudi’s built a fence to send their homicidal suicidal bombers around, and now their defeated, congradulations Iraq!
I was really pulling for Iraq in the ‘04 Olympics, when they just missed out of medal contention and finished 4th. That from a team that played its “home” games in Jordan, because its own stadium was full of tanks at the time.
Among other duties, Uday Hussein was the head of the Iraqi sports ministry. Players faced torture and death for failing to perform. I don’t know how many survivors of those days are on the current team, but I’m sure those who aren’t still playing are cheering through tears.
That report just made my day. I’m so pleased to see the national pride on such display. I hope they continue to advance.
And only a few short years ago, losing players would have been executed. The media won’t likely talk about that, either. They have come far.
Go team Iraq!
I was on patrol in Dora during this game. Right around the time the game ended, I told all my Soldiers to get down inside houses and off the roofs. Good thing, b/c as soon as they won, the volleys of celebratory gunfire were heard all over the place!
Another one of those “Only In Iraq” moments: my Soldiers and I had been clearing houses all day in 115+ degree heat, so we holed up in this one house with A/C and a whole family sitting there watching the game. We came in, greeted them, searched their house, let them know everything was OK, then we sat down, ate MREs, and watched the end of the game with them. My Squad Leader teased them by saying “Go Korea!...just kidding!” It was pretty funny, and even the family thought it was too.
What an absolutely odd existence...can you imagine watching the NFC championship and having a squad of armed foreign soldiers glued to the game along with your family? Boggles the mind...
Ping, expecially for Allegra’s comments.
/expecially/especially/
That’s what I get for posting before coffee, while barely awake.
Best news that I have had ALL month!!! Go Iraq!!!
LLS
I just posted some information from a Baghdad newspaper about the vast improvements in quality of life in Dora on here yesterday. You guys are doing GREAT!
I'm in the Rusafa District (where the stadium they currently can't use is) - you probably know which FOB. Strangely enough, we had more bullets rain into the FOB on Saturday night when Iraq beat Vietnam than we did yesterday.
The warnings are already up around the FOB about Sunday afternoon. In spite of the celebratory gunfire dangers (we'll all be locked down inside hard buildings), I really, really hope Iraq wins.
WOW!!! Very moving indeed.
Just dayum! That’s incredible Allegra — thank you so much for sharing that!!
LOL! Only in Iraq! And thank you!
The DefeatocRats will work very hard to prevent the Iraqi's from becoming and American ally. I hope President Bush can prevent their plans to cut-and-run from Iraq. Prayers for the Iraqi people and our brave troops and civilians.
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