One for the underdogs: Crazy results in the latest round of international football

By Marcel Abboud

Celebrate for football's international minnows!

In what turned out to be a very crazy round of football (7/9/11), many of FIFA's minnows have recorded remarkable draws or even incredible wins against much more fancied opponents. Many people would have written these nations off, but they played their hearts out and triumphed (or almost triumphed) against all odds to salvage a point or to claim all three points.

Who would have known?

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification (Asain Confederation):

Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates

Jordan 2-1 China

Kuwait 1-1 South Korea

2012 UEFA European Championship Qualification:

Slovakia 0-4 Armenia

Moldova 0-2 Hungary

Azerbaijan 3-2 Kazakhstan

Luxembourg 2-1 Albania

Malta 1-1 Georgia

Iceland 1-0 Cyprus

So next time you see an underdog team and they get absolutely destroyed by the opposition, don't feel sorry for them: support them!

The Bravest Penalty Kick Ever: Theyab Awana's Back Heel Penalty

By Marcel Abboud

If penalty kicks could get crazy, then look no further than this.

In a recent international friendly, United Arab Emirates winger Theyab Awana scored an outrageous back-heel penalty against Lebanon in their 6 - 2 win over the Middle Eastern side.


Not only did the 21 year old Baniyas SC winger managed to wrong foot the goalkeeper, he also incured the wrath of many of the Lebanese players and even his very own manager, Srecko Katanec. Theyab was immediately substituted after only being on the field for a remarkable three minutes for a "lack of respect" towards the Lebanese opposition.

Theyab faces disciplinary action from the UAE football federation, either facing suspension or a fine for his actions.

Was it really the bravest penalty kick ever taken, or perhaps the stupidest? Watch the remarkable and yet comical footage of Theyab's goal here:

Memorable Games: Iraq 1 - 0 Saudi Arabia (2007 AFC Asain Cup Final)

It was the team that nobody expected. With a country still engaged in the aftermath of a brutal and devastating war/invasion, Iraq were seen as easy beats in the 2007 edition of the AFC Asian Cup.

How wrong many people were.

Here was a team with many of its players playing in the Iraqi domestic league, with a few sprinkles of players from leagues like Lebanon, Libya and Cyprus who under the guidance of journeyman Brazilian/Portuguese coach Jorvan Vieira, managed to make it all the way to the final of the AFC Asian Cup.

Their opponents were the very much fancied but underachieving regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia. This match isn't memorable for the lack of intensity of the game, far from it. This game is memorable because of the symbolic nature that the Iraqi triumph held in the hearts and minds of the footballing public, nay the world.

In a largely uneventful game, the Iraqi captain Younis Mohammed (pictured) unmarked rose up in 70th minute to power home a corner into the back of the net, giving the captain of this troubled nation a 1 - 0 lead over the Gulf powerhouse.

The emphatic celebration by Younis in front of a packed 60,000 streflected the passion felt by many Iraqis and felt like he was carrying the weight of this gulf nation's hopes, beliefs and expectations on his shoulders. With the ball thundering into the back of the net, it was a symbol of joy and the lifting of the trophy was the ultimate triumph for both football and the people of Iraq.

Football has the power to transcend war and bind people together, to warm the hearts of many and extinguish the notions of hate and suffering, all from the kick of all ball.

Watch the winning goal and the emphatic celebrations here:



By Marcel Abboud

Indonesia Premier League (IPL) - A Change for the Better?

The need for change has always constituted the catalyst for a revolution. This doesn’t just stop in the field of politics, it can span its wings into the football pitch. Numerous examples have been shown worldwide: the formation of the A-League in 2005 in Australia, the breakup of the Yugoslavia to form the various Balkan national leagues, the introduction of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1993 which saw the rise of professionalism of football in the United States.

Fast forward to 2011 and a breakaway league is underway. Not it’s not in a major league in Europe, but in the South East Asian nation of Indonesia. A new, 19 team league has formed, known as “Indonesia Premier League” or in Indonesian “ Liga Primer Indonesia (LPI)” It is a separate independent league not run under the supervision of the Indonesia’s governing football body Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). In turn, many punters believe that no footballer who plays in a team which competes in the LPI is allowed to be selected and join the country’s national team. As this league is run independently and not under the auspices of the PSSI, it is therefore not affiliated with the world footballing governing body, FIFA.


But why the breakaway? An idea of oil and gas company Medco chairman Arifin Panigor, the league was established amongst allegations of corruption in the PSSI and the neglect of the PSSI towards the state of the league, as well as games being played behind closed doors and issues with referees. The league has a spectacular television deal, as LPI clubs are also entitled to receive revenues from match broadcasts.


As mentioned, 19 teams will compete in the LPI, including three teams (PSM Makassar, Persema Malang and Persibo Bojonegoro) who were apart of the Indonesian Super League (ISL). Each team is allowed to sign up to five foreign players from any of the FIFA confederations, with many teams making some very adventurous signings. Players have come from everywhere, including the A-League and various state leagues in Australia (Aleks Vrteski and Andrija Jukic from Perth Glory FC to name a few) as well securing the high profile regional signings of Filipino brothers Philip and James Younghusband. Former Aston Villa and Derby County midfielder Lee Hendrie has turned out for Bandung FC as their marquee signing.

The teams that will be competing in the inaugural 2011 season are:

Atjeh United Bali Devata Bandung F.C. Batavia Union Bogor Raya F.C. Cenderawasih F.C. Jakarta F.C. 1928

Manado United Medan Bintang Medan Chief Minangkabau F.C. Persebaya 1927 Persema Malang

Persibo Bojonegoro PSM Makassar Real Mataram Semarang United Solo F.C. Tangerang Wolves

This league is hoped to raise the level of quality and entertainment in Indonesian football as well as trying to improve the overall status and overall game in this country of around 238 million people. The LPI hopes to improve the football’s level in the country ranked 129th by FIFA and is backed by the country's sports minister. So will the IPL improve the standard of the game in this football loving nation?
We’ll just have to wait and see…