Sport Still Inspires - Iraq

[PlayadelSoul]

Here is some really nice news.

Asian Cup: Iraq wins through to Asian Cup final against Saudi Arabia - International Herald Tribune

The team was not even expected to get into the second round.

[Gulliver]

The sad news is 27 people were killed by roadside bombs while celebrating.

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by Gulliver

The sad news is 27 people were killed by roadside bombs while celebrating.

And a few more by celebratory gunfire in the streets.

Great to hear the love of sport still lives though...

[ryberg]

Poor Mark: this is at least the second time in about as many weeks that he's tried this type of "here's some positive news" thread, and he only gets grief for it!

Didn't I tell ya, pal? Same thing happened to me the last time I tried that, too!

They can't handle the (positive) truth!

Iraq managed to put its painful off-field distractions behind it to reach the final.

At the center of the delirious post-match celebrations was goalkeeper Noor Sabri, whose crucial save in the penalty shootout proved decisive.With the shootout tied at 3-3, Sabri lunged low and right, tipping Yeom Ki-hun's left-foot stab around the post to give his side the crucial edge.

After Ahmed Menajed slotted Iraq's fourth penalty, Kim Jung-woo had to find the net to keep the game alive. But his shot hit the right post. The Iraqis swamped Sabri in celebrations that were mirrored in their homeland, grabbing the national flag and racing around the Bukit Jalil Stadium, waving it in the air.

"You know the situation of the difficulties in Iraq," Sabri said after the game.

"What we can achieve inside the field, it's a modest thing we can give to our people. We have to show them we are sharing with them the celebrations."

Iraq's run in the Asian Cup has been a cause of rare joy in the Gulf nation, where people are saying the national team, with its mix of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, demonstrates that the warring ethnic and religious factions can unite despite years of sectarian violence.

Reminiscent of the same types of stories about la France...

Steve

[Gulliver]

Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come across so negative. I just heard on the radio at lunch that the bombing had occurred. I just thought it was sad because these people were happy and celebrating one minute and dead the next. It is still a great accomplishment for their team and should serve as an example to the people of Iraq that anything is possible when they are willing to work together.

[Seakony]

Glad to hear they won.. they needed that boost. Too bad some people are begrudging them their freedom. Thanks for the positive post Mark. The negative stuff is so lame.

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by Gulliver

Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come across so negative. I just heard on the radio at lunch that the bombing had occurred. I just thought it was sad because these people were happy and celebrating one minute and dead the next. It is still a great accomplishment for their team and should serve as an example to the people of Iraq that anything is possible when they are willing to work together.

Sorry -- thought you were being sarcastic and then I heard something like this really happened! What a shame. Doesn't detract from the multi-ethnic success example set on the field, though -- just shows there are always going to be people trying to tear something down.

Steve

[Seakony]

Is there an echo in here???

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by Seakony

Is there an echo in here???

Can you read???

Steve

[Seakony]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Can you read???

Steve

Can't you?

[PlayadelSoul]

IRAQ Wins!!

Iraq ride wave of support to lift Asian Cup | Sports | Reuters

[MWC]

Congratulations to them! I hope this team's achievements can inspire the political leaders of Iraq to similarly bond to create positive change ...
oops ...
they're all on vacation, aren't they?

[ryberg]

Good for them!

Thanks for the update, Mark. Guess you are good for something...

Steve

[ryberg]

Just following up on Mark's nice thread, here, as I just saw this:

Iraq welcomes home soccer heroes





BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) -- Weeping tears of joy and pride, Iraq's soccer champions arrived home on Friday to celebrate the Asian Cup victory that inspired their nation, but heavy security meant few Baghdadis were able to join the party . . .

Player Ali Rahima said: "We hope that this unity will not be only for football. We hope everybody will unite to bring happiness to the Iraqi people" . . .

Iraqis hailed the multi-ethnic team, which includes members of different religious sects, as proof the country could overcome the divisions that have led to bloodshed.

Newspapers and TV commentators contrasted the players with the country's feuding and ineffective politicians.

Sport does still inspire, you're right.

Steve