Asian Cup: Iraqi team unphased by domestic issues

by ryan | July 24, 2007 at 11:50 am | 714 views | 2 comments

UPDATE: Iraq has made its way to the finals, but their success is mired in suffering from home.

The Iraqi team are on an emotional rollercoaster after reaching their first Asian Cup final as it took a bloody toll back home where at least 50 celebrating fans were killed.

Iraq shocked the more fancied South Korea 4-3 in a penalty shootout after it was scoreless after extra time Wednesday to put them on the brink of their greatest footballing achievement.

Sports continually play a role in politics, usually as an expression of national rivalries. However, as the Iraqi soccer team enter the final round of the Asian Cup the emotions are somewhat different.

Iraq have the burden of national expectations riding on them as they pursue their first-ever Asian Cup final appearance against South Korea in Malaysia Wednesday.

The Iraqis, beset by the grim realities of daily carnage back in their troubled homeland, have been a beacon for their nation as they have negotiated their way to the semifinals of the continental tournament.

Iraq have played in a semifinal once before, losing 3-2 to Kuwait after extra-time in 1976, and have the incentive of going on to play in their first Asian Cup final in Jakarta next Sunday against either Japan or Saudi Arabia.

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dmimi

at 22:11 on July 24th, 2007

South Korean vs Indonesia is 1-0, and Indonesia vs Arab1-3, too bad i didntgo to saw the game, cos all the road crowded and traffict jam so badly.... just saw from tv.... and i think middle east will be join for the world cup...