Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoAsian Cup Final - Finally some good news for Iraq
July 30th 2007 09:40
Category: No Category
Finally a good-news story comes out of Iraq; with their football team giving the people of the war-torn country a reason for national pride when they defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 to take out the Asian Cup.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with Australian referee Mark Shield constantly blowing his whistle and 5 yellow cards being issued. But after the break it was Iraq who settled down and got their rhythm going, threatening several times to break the deadlock. Finally it came at 71 minutes when captain Younis Mahmoud was in the perfect position to receive a corner and headed it home into the corner of the net. 1-0 to Iraq, and for the last 18 desperate minutes that’s how it remained.
The victory to Iraq triggered wild celebrations in Baghdad and around the country, with guns fired into the air and fireworks aplenty around the country. For a nation that has suffered so much for so long, it was a rare moment of joy; and one the people were determined to celebrate.
Iraq 1 (Younis Mahmoud 72) d Saudi Arabia 0
Iraq Asian Cup Champions for 2007
In the third-place playoff, it was scoreless for regulation time and extra time; before a marathon penalty shootout saw Korea take third place and relegate Japan to 4th.
Korea Republic 0 drew Japan 0
Korea Republic wins 6-5 on penalties
And so the Asian Cup comes to an end. A tournament that promised much for the Australians but delivered little. The draw against Oman and the loss to Iraq were a wake-up call for those who thought Asia would be easy pickings for the Socceroos. Better performances against Thailand and Japan followed, but the penalty shootout defeat ended the dream.
But in the end, the only country that defeated Australia in regulation time was the team that went on to win the tournament. Congratulations to Iraq – unfancied before the tournament started, it was a fairytale rise to prominence.
The next Asian Cup in 2011 will be held in Qatar. Australia is reportedly keen to bid for the 2015 event.
Pic from Sportal.com.au
The first half was a scrappy affair, with Australian referee Mark Shield constantly blowing his whistle and 5 yellow cards being issued. But after the break it was Iraq who settled down and got their rhythm going, threatening several times to break the deadlock. Finally it came at 71 minutes when captain Younis Mahmoud was in the perfect position to receive a corner and headed it home into the corner of the net. 1-0 to Iraq, and for the last 18 desperate minutes that’s how it remained.
Iraq 1 (Younis Mahmoud 72) d Saudi Arabia 0
Iraq Asian Cup Champions for 2007
In the third-place playoff, it was scoreless for regulation time and extra time; before a marathon penalty shootout saw Korea take third place and relegate Japan to 4th.
Korea Republic 0 drew Japan 0
Korea Republic wins 6-5 on penalties
And so the Asian Cup comes to an end. A tournament that promised much for the Australians but delivered little. The draw against Oman and the loss to Iraq were a wake-up call for those who thought Asia would be easy pickings for the Socceroos. Better performances against Thailand and Japan followed, but the penalty shootout defeat ended the dream.
The next Asian Cup in 2011 will be held in Qatar. Australia is reportedly keen to bid for the 2015 event.
Pic from Sportal.com.au
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