Iraq: The Incredible Story
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by SSreporters
It's amazing how Iraq is able to muster up a soccer team when you consider the fact that there is a war going on. But as they always do, they competed in the 2007 Asian Cup. This was a tournament in which Iraq was never considered to be a favorite, but Iran, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea were. The Iraqi's had never even made it to an Asian Cup final, so of course they were unlikely to win. Not only did they win in their group, they had dominated another Pre-Tournament favorite in Australia, winning 3-1.
They had won their games over Vietnam, and stunned South Korea on penalty kicks to advance to their first Asian Cup final ever. What made this bittersweet, were the suicide bombers blowing up sections of the country, and several soccer fans celebrating their team's improbable run.
So now their final opponent was the Asian soccer powerhouse in Saudi Arabia. Iraq were heavy underdogs in this match, but they had been underdogs in half of their tournament games, so it really didn't matter. Iraq dominated the match and stunned the Saudis 1-0 to do the impossible, and win the Asian Cup. This should not just make headlines in Jakarta, Indonesia(where the final was held), or throughout Iraq. It should make headlines around the world.
You have to put politics aside, and celebrate the most global sport in the world. Because Iraq has shown that nothing is impossible. They should be the model team of the world when it comes to determination. We should all be happy, no matter what nationality you are, that a war torn country could have a national soccer team that could not only participate, but win a soccer tournament.
Iraq
2007 Asian Cup Champions
