Sunday, July 29, 2007

Iraqi team captures Asian Cup

Iraq defied the odds to win the Asian Cup football (soccer) title.
JAKARTA: Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 on Sunday to win their first Asian Cup and provide a fairytale ending to the continental soccer championship.

Iraqi captain Younis Mahmoud scored the winner in the 71st minute when he climbed above the defence at the far post and headed a perfectly-weighted corner from Hawar Mulla Mohammed into the net.
(The News)

This may be an important event beyond its importance in the world of sports.

The Iraqi team is made up of the same factions that comprise the nation: Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds. Football (soccer) is absolutely huge in Iraq. A victory like this, while nothing like an Olympic gold medal, may have a powerful symbolic effect that may aid the effects of General Petraeus' surge strategy.

Good thing, if it does.

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