JAKARTA: For once, Iraq is in the news for the right reasons. It has completed one of sport's great fairytales by beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup final, providing a rare moment for celebration in the war-torn country.
There's something sinister about a country engrossed in football while the drums of war beat persistently in the background. But that shouldn't take away the joy, even if its momentary, that the football team has brought to its people.
The Saudis yesterday were hoping to become the first four-time winners but Iraq, riding a wave of global sentiment and national support, upset the hot favorites for a rare slice of sporting glory, and lift its first Asian Cup.
Iraqi skipper Younis Mahmoud sealed the victory in the 71st minute, meeting Hawar Mulla Mohammed's corner kick with a towering header.
The victory was hailed by a barrage of gunfire in Baghdad as thousands of Iraqis, including members of the security forces, defied a strict government ceasefire order to celebrate if their team won the Asian Cup.
Iraq's entry into the semi-finals after it beat Australia was celebrated back home, and many people even said only the football could unite all Iraqis. But bloodshed followed the team's victory over South Korea in the semis on Wednesday, with more than 50 being killed.
None of the Iraqi players has been untouched by the war, and although all of them have tried to mask their grief, there were constant reminders of the sectarian violence back home.
At least three have lost relatives in the past two months, and all the players wore black armbands during the final in memory of the 50 people killed by suicide bombers after their semi-final win.
Yesterday, when the referee blew the final whistle, the Iraqi players collapsed to the ground in a mixture of shock and unbridled emotion, kissing the turf and embracing each other after their country's finest moment.
Iraq were forced to train and play their qualifiers in neutral countries and their coach, Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira, who said he planned to quit after the match, only had two months to mould a team.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was at the Gelora Bung National Stadium for the final, said Iraq's achievement had inspired millions and was proof of sport's unique power to unite people in the most desperate circumstances.
Source: China Daily/agencies
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