OK Dudes. Lets change the tempo. This is the thread where we can all talk about good Iraqis for a change. My first nomination goes to the Iraqi football team. Who do you nominate? More than one nomination is perfectly acceptable.
Iraq football team looks to unite country Posted Tue Jul 3, 2007 11:21am AEST
One thing is certain. If Iraq beat the odds and shine at the Asian Cup as they did at the Asian Games last year, football will again spark a rare source of shared joy in the divided sectarian nation. Despite the bombings, kidnappings and killings, power blackouts and fuel shortages, passion for football endures in a country that used to be a dominant regional force and qualified for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Iraq's run to the final of the Asian Games in Qatar was greeted back home by rounds of small arms fire as people celebrated, some even dancing in the streets. They lost the crunch match to the host nation but it was a glimmer of light for the war-weary residents.
Since those glory days coach Akram Salman has been fired after they failed to get past the group stages of the Gulf Cup in January. In his place has come Brazil's Jorvan Vieira, 53, who took charge in May, giving him scant time to prepare for a group that also features favourites Australia, Oman and Thailand.
Vieira is a brave man with three coaches of the senior team previously quitting because of death threats, while officials have been kidnapped and one even murdered. He admits it is hard, but not as hard as for his players.
"I don't have one person in this group who hasn't lost someone from their family," Vieira said.
"But they never mix politics in the team. They never talk about it. I have Sunni and I have Shiite and there is no problem. They are very close."
Dire times
Iraqi football has been through dire times since the US-led 2003 invasion with its stadiums wrecked, little money for equipment, and rampant violence. Traveling in Iraq is so dangerous that the Iraqi league has been divided into three regions while the national team plays its home matches in Amman.
"There is no organisation," Vieira said. "Nothing. I have to understand why, because of the kind of life these people are living."
The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience to his role. Despite being sacked last November as coach of Saudi Arabian side Al Taei, he has previously managed clubs in Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as the Malaysian U-20 side.
Iraq have the honour of playing the opening match of the tournament at Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday against co-hosts Thailand, which could be their best chance to pick up points. Oman follow on July 12 with Australia a day later on July 13.
"I'm planning to go as far as possible," Vieira said. "I'm not looking for first place in our group but I want second place. Australia have a lot of chances to come top."
For the squad, exposure at the Asian Cup could be the motivation they need. Iraqi players dream of Europe and the big salaries of the continent's club professionals, away from the perils of their war-torn country where their talents go unrewarded. With scouts expected at the tournament, there is hope they will be noticed and get the chance of a lucrative contract with a foreign club.
Some squad members already play in Iran, Libya, the UAE and Qatar, including talented young striker Younis Mahmoud who scored 19 goals for Qatar's Al Gharafa this season.
I nominate all the Iraqis who are staying in Iraq to help even they dont have too. First choice for me is the Iraqi red crescent and all who are working for this great company.
Hey Zimmers, I AGREE! Also, any others from ANYWHERE, that r there to assist with this mess!!! Have missed ALL friends on this site. Have been a "tad" ill, so to speak. As My Son has said tho., "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" Am feeling stronger every day. Hugs, me
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
In my humble opinion, all Iraqis who put the interest of their country above anything else can be called good and proud Iraqis, Good bless them one by one and may god gives them the strength and determination to achieve the best for Iraq, also I would like to nominate the Iraqi Teckwando team for best of the best teams ever, their memories and the memories of every decent Iraqi civilian who fell unjustly on the hands of Wahabi and Salfi, and Takfeeri animals, will remain in our heart for eternity. Long live Iraq and long live the unity of the good people of Iraq. Also I would like to Applaud the Lions of Babylon (The Iraqi National Team) for their win against Australia, guys keep them coming the country is desperate need for some happy moments. ReGaRdS
When was the Iraqi Taekwando team murdered? This is beyond disgusting, ONE SICK world we have!!! Innocents/Children murdered daily... x for me to sign off. hugs to all my friends thoughts with you prayers me
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
Bros. We drew with Oman today but are through to the quarter finals. Mabruk to the lions. Mabruk to all the Iraqi people. I think the next game is against Yemen.
the reason is that they want to destroy everything nice and good about mesopotamia the cradle of human civilization and what makes the mesopotamians happy, i feel very disapointed from the world.
Bros, I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing our brave team the best of luck for tomorrows big game. A victory would be so sweet for us during these awful times. God bless Isood Al Rafidain!!
Morale-boosting final awaits Iraq Iraq's players know the weight of expectation they carry into Sunday's Asian Cup final in Jakarta.
Four-times Asian champions Saudi Arabia stand between Iraq and a win that would lift the country's war-weary people. Striker Younis Mahmoud said: "We are shouldering our responsibility to bring hope to the Iraqi people. "We know that by winning we can make the Iraqi people happy. Reaching the final is not enough, our ambition is to win the title."
Iraq's passage to its first Asian Cup final has triggered wild celebrations back home, with many people seeing the team as a symbol of national unity. However, the team's success has come against a background of violence, with bombers killing at least 50 people in Baghdad as crowds celebrated the semi-final win over South Korea. Iraq's Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira conceded the bombings had affected the squad but said: "Life must go on.
"We have to play on Sunday to be the champions. "My boys deserve to be in the final, they have worked very hard. "When I signed my contract I promised to give more happiness and put more smiles on the faces of the Iraqi people. I think I have accomplished that."
Saudi Arabia's Brazilian coach Helio Cesar dos Anjos accepts the sympathy will be with Iraq. He said: "Iraq will be very motivated and they have a lot of quality. "There is no favourite in this match, we have an opportunity but so does Iraq."
Dudes, heres how you can watch the game if you dont have access to the right Satellite channels:
How You Can See the Iraq-Saudi Clash Sunday Asian Cup 2007 Finals Live on al-Iraqiya at 1635 Iraq Time; Live Webcast 0835 ET
The big national state-owned Iraqi broadcaster al-Iraqiya will televise the big Jakarta showdown, which the network will stream live on the Web for the world here.
Because previous Iraq wins in this year's Asian Cup have prompted countless volleys of killer celebratory gunfire -- at least 13 killed after the water-finals victory -- and at least two suicide bomber attacks that killed dozens, the safest bet for all in Iraq is to remain indoors during and immediately after the big match.
What truth do you know? When you learn to speak better english, and learn the correct history of the middle east and the arab world. When you will understand your religion, then you can speak the truth, until then, you are the most annoying person on this site.
please shutup and do not make yourself that you know everything and if you do not want to read my topics then do not read it so you are the annoying person.
and also do not say that mesopotamia do not have any prophets in their homeland do not be stupid and do not make me upset.