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

Asian Cup, first round wrap up.

The first round of the games in the Asian Cup has come to an end, some suprising results have come to light, while the "big guns" of the tournament also sent out a message to their opponents.


Group A: With Qatar sitting at the bottom of Group A we might just see a suprise qualifier from the group. Qatar subsequently lost Uzbekistan 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament and sit equal bottom with Kuwait who also experienced the same deficit again China. The next round will see Qatar take on China as the host nation tries to bidge the three point gap that exists. An Uzbekistan win against Kuwait could see the Uzbek's qualify for the knockout round.

Group B: Japan, who are percieved as one of the favourites to take out the title played out a 1-1 draw with little known footballing nation Jordan. Syria also caused an upset beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 to claim top spot in group B. A solid performance in their next game against Japan could see them unexpectedly qualify for the knockout round of the Cup.

Group C: No suprises in group C as favourites to qualify Australia and Korea Republic both won their opening matches proving that their intentions to win the Asian Cup are well and alive. Australia comprehensively accounted for India 4-0, whilst Korea escaped a close fought contest against Bahrain in a 2-1 game. The group favourites will face eachother in their next round and the winner of the match will surely qualify for the knockout round.

Group D: Defending Champions Iraq have been stunned by rivals Iran in a close fought contest. The Iranians fought back from 1-0 down to take all three points from the Iraqis in a final score of 2-1. North Korea when on to draw 0-0 against the United Arab Emirates. Iraq will hope to rebound and once again reign supreme in Asia.


Their were certainly a few suprises in the first round of the Cup. Stay tuned to Play the Advantage for all the new from the biggest International Competition in Asia.