It's official - the new champions of Asia are Iraq. The Final of the Asian Cup 2007 took place yesterday in Jakarta and it was a day for the underdogs who, until now, have never won the tournament.
Saudi Arabia were undoubtedly the favourites to win the competition but they rarely threatened the Iraqi goal. At the other end of the pitch, however, Iraq played to win as though their very existence depended on it. Qusay Munir volleyed wide from the edge of the penalty area after six minutes, then Younis Mahmoud saw his overhead kick fly wide from just outside the six-yard box two minutes later.
Shortly after that, the game became scrappy as Australian referee Mark Shield booked five players. Any chances that threatened to bring about a goal at either end were being snuffed out by the opposing defences, even into the second half. All the while, Iraq grew stronger and more threatening but it wasn't until the 71st minute that they finally made the breakthrough they'd been searching for.
Iraq won a corner which was taken by Hawar Mohammed but when Saudi goalkeeper Yasser Al-Musalim came out to catch the high ball, he misjudged its flight. As it sailed over his head, the ball fell to Mahmoud who headed it goalwards and into the net. Mahmoud could even have made it 2-0 six minutes later when he was put clean through with only the keeper to beat, but Al-Musalim was quickly off his line to deny him.
The match ended with Saudi Arabia as ineffective as they had been throughout leaving Iraq to raise the trophy to the delight of their fans at home and abroad. Heaven knows they haven't had much to cheer about of late, but this win will bring much happiness to all of them.
Congratulations, then, to Iraq - winners of a great Asian Cup competition. May they enjoy their four years at the top of the tree ahead of the next Asian Cup in Qatar in 2011.
It was definitely nice to watch the people on the streets in Baghdad celebrating and dancing, though it was sort of odd to see if while the surroundings were completely demolished buildings, with rubble and burned out cars everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how quickly this will be made into a movie.
ReplyDeleteKnowing the way Hollywood film studios operate, *very* quickly!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, they'd have to take a few poetic liberties to make the story palatable to American audiences (a heroic ARAB?!!? BUT THEY'RE ALL TERRISTS!). Replacing Younis Mahmoud as the rugged captain with a never-say-die-attitude will be George W. Bush (codpiece included). And instead of Jorvan Vieira, the tough-but-fair coach with a secret heart of gold is Don Rumsfeld.
ReplyDeleteha ha ha... yes well done. Hand over the Oscars now!!
ReplyDeleteGood one! Not exactly the 'Cool Runnings' of the soccer world, but you can't have everything...
ReplyDeleteThe answer is easy:
ReplyDeleteIn typical Hollywood fashion, they could change a few important details, such as changing the winners to a nation that is a friend of USA, such as ... Israel!
All we need now is a title.
"How the West [Bank] was won?"
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Ah... perhaps not a Hollywood film then?!?
ReplyDelete:-)