|
Lion of Babylon -> Who are the good Iraqis! (7/4/2007 5:21:03 AM)
|
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.
|
|
|
|