Iraq Wins AFC Asian Cup

July 31, 2007

I blogged about this in an earlier post, but that was before the influx of media coverage. I wanted to dedicate a post to the Iraqis’ win, and although this is not nearly the admiration they deserve, I will try. Here are some news stories covering the win and the outpouring of support and goodwill following it:

  • Reuters talks about the win and the hurdles that the team had to overcome, especially the heavy hearts that they all carried with them into the match, as a result of the prolonged struggle in the country.
  • The Boston Herald has a short piece on how the win has given Iraqis unity.
  • Julian Linden has a blog post about some of the history of the Asian Cup.
  • CNN International has some more game coverage.

I’m sure there are many more stories out there that I haven’t found, this selection was just from scanning the news headlines. Again, the team’s achievement is not only historic, but comes at a time when the fate of the nation is murky at best. I watched the last half of the match, and I can say that the team showed heart and courage, going up against the heavily favored Saudis. Congratulations to Iraq and their soccer team, they have truly been an inspiration to me.

-Jack

Posted by Jack Filed in Asian Cup, Iraq

4 Responses to “Iraq Wins AFC Asian Cup”

  1. Simon Says:
    July 31, 2007 at 3:46 am

    I almost think this is too coincidential, like the US Gov’t paid off the AFC or whoever they needed to to ensure Iraq had some advantage going into competition.

    I mean, c’mon, a country which has been a war zone for the past four years produces a championship caliber soccer team? And doesn’t this take the attention of off the US, and whatever terrible things are happening (and have been happening, and will continue to happen) in Iraq?

  2. Mark Says:
    July 31, 2007 at 4:30 am

    yeah I agree with Simon. However, if you can practice soccer with bullets flying everywhere and can side step IEDs when you’re dribbling a ball, then of course the Asian Cup will be a cinch. No other country trains under such difficult conditions, so it could go either way…

  3. Jack Says:
    July 31, 2007 at 9:48 am

    I got nothin to say to either of you…sigh.

  4. Kudo Shinichi Says:
    July 31, 2007 at 10:23 am

    I tend to play devil’s advocate a lot when I say things. It’s to spice up the mood in an otherwise lame convo involving 3 asians who have similar views on many things.

    That said, yes bullets travel at like 300mph. A soccer ball is like a snail compared to that man.

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