Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (Full Version)

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Lion of Babylon -> Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/7/2007 3:12:41 AM)

Dudes, I know this is not politics but I guess it depends on how you look at it. This team has no fixed abode, no stadium of our own, a new coach and the whole country cheering them on. We are all united in our support of them. We play Thailand today so keep your fingers crossed. Yalla ya Iraq! [sm=smiley32.gif][sm=smiley32.gif][sm=smiley32.gif][sm=smiley32.gif] 



salim -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/8/2007 1:32:24 AM)

hi LOB. we dont win this time but next time we will inshaala. [8|][8|][8|]



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/10/2007 10:24:24 AM)

Dude, we didnt deserve that penalty. The Thai player made the most of it but Younis's goal was a classic. The Aussies next. Yala ya Iraq!

For those of you who dont have access here are the goals.

THAILAND 1  IRAQ 1 (ASIA CUP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SY0IVYvK94



zimzim -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/11/2007 11:08:51 AM)

I wish all the luck for our team. We need to celebrate at least something good instead of all this terible news of killing and boming. My brothers are watching the games in Bghdad and it is very important we do good for Iraq. I hope they win the next game. God bless them.



sadiq2006 -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/13/2007 8:01:58 AM)

the iraqis won the game (iraq 3 and australia 1), hurray for iraq.



Deleted User -> [Deleted] (7/15/2007 2:22:22 AM)

[Deleted by Admins]



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/16/2007 11:42:59 AM)

IRAQ 0 - 0 OMAN

MABRUK TO OUR TEAM. MABRUK TO ALL IRAQIS. WE ARE NOW INTO THE QUARTER FINALS!!!! [:)][:)][:)]



saifali -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/16/2007 4:47:05 PM)

الف مبروك لمنتخبنا البطل
تغطية لتأهل المنتخب العراقي والمدرب البرازيلي فييرا يتمنى أن يكون في بغداد ليهنئ العراقيين   تمني مدرب منتخب العراق البرازيلي جورفان فييرا لو يكون حاليا في بغداد ليشاطر الشعب العراقي باسره فرحة بلوغ الدور ربع النهائي من كأس اسيا 2007 في كرة القدم بعد تعادله مع عمان في الجولة الثالثة الاخيرة من منافسات المجموعة الاولى اليوم الاثنين في بانكوك.
ونجح المنتخب العراقي بفضل تعادله اليوم من تصدر المجموعة الاولى والاهم من ذلك تحاشى مواجهة المنتخب الياباني حامل اللقب في الدور التالي، حيث سيلتقي فيتنام المغمورة خصوصا عندما تلعب خارج ارضها.
وقال فييرا: اود لو اكون في هذه اللحظات في بغداد لكي اشاطر الشعب العراقي فرحته ببلوغ منتخب بلاده الدور ربع النهائي".
وتابع احاول ان اتصور البهجة والسرور في قلوب الشعب العراقي، لكنني ساحصل على فكرة اوضح عندما اتابع اخبار الاحتفالات على شاشة التلفزة في وقت لاحق من مساء اليوم معربا عن اسفه كوني بعيدا عن هذا الاحتفال انا واللاعبين".
وكشف كان الامر سيان عندي في ما يتعلق بهوية المنتخب الذي سنواجهه في ربع النهائي طالما انني ضمنت البقاء في بانكوك، بالطبع المنتخب الفيتنامي قوي جدا ويمتاز لاعبوه بالسرعة لكن الامر سيكون مختلفا في بانكوك منه في هانوي حيث يحظي بمؤازرة قوية كما شاهدنا في مبارياته في الدور الاول".
يذكر ان العراق سيواجه فيتنام في بانكوك السبت المقبل وسيكون مرشحا لبلوغ الدور نصف النهائي للمرة الثانية في تاريخه بعد عام 1976 عندما اكتفى بالمركز الثالث.
وبلغ المنتخب العراقي الدور ربع النهائي للمرة الرابعة على التوالي بتعادله مع نظيره العماني صفر-صفر في المباراة التي اقيمت بينهما اليوم الاثنين في بانكوك ضمن الجولة الثالثة من منافسات المجموعة الاولي في بطولة كأس اسيا 2007 في كرة القدم.
وتصدر المنتخب مجموعته برصيد 5 نقاط متقدما على استراليا التي فازت على تايلاند 4-صفر اليوم ايضا ضمن المجموعة ذاتها.
وحصدت تايلاند 4 نقاط ايضا لكنها خرجت بفارق المواجهات المباشرة مع استراليا، في حين حصد المنتخب العماني نقطتين فقط.
وبات العراق اول المنتخبات العربية التي تبلغ الدور ربع النهائي، في حين خرج حتى الان ثلاثة منتخبات هي قطر والامارات وعمان.
ويبقي المنتخبان السعودي والبحريني اللذان يلتقيان بعد غد الاربعاء لتحديد
هوية المتأهل منهما الي ربع النهائي وربما الاثنين معا اذا انتهت مباراتها
بالتعادل وفازت كوريا علي اندونيسيا.
وغاب عن التشكيلة العراقية لاعب الانصار اللبناني صالح سدير لاصابة في ركبته، وحيدر عبد الرزاق للسبب عينه، وهيثم كاظم لنيله بطاقتين صفراوين.
في المقابل لم يشارك في صفوف المنتخب العماني جمعة الوهيبي لوقفه، وسعيد الشون وهاشم صالح للاصابة.
وجاءت المباراة مخيبة للامال ومملة طوال الدقائق التسعين على الرغم من ان المنتخب العماني كان يتوجب عليه الحصول علي النقاط الثلاث في حين كان التعادل يكفي العراق، لكن الحذر كان سيد الموقف معظم فترات الشوط الاول.
ومر ربع الساعة الاول من دون خطورة تذكر على باب المرميين، وظلت الامور تراوح مكانها حتى اطلق نشأت اكرم تسديدة مرت خارج الخشبات الثلاث .وسنحت فرصة جيدة لفوزي شعبان لافتتاح التسجيل عندما حاول اسقاط الكرة من فوق الحارس العراقي نور صبري لكنه سدد الكرة ضعيفة فسيطر عليها الاخير . وكرة طائشة لبدر الميني من ركلة حرة مباشرة من 30 مترا .وحاول المنتخب العماني في الشوط الثاني المبادرة الي الهجوم لكن محاولته كانت خجولة وسدد عماد الحوسني كرة رأسية فوق العارضة .
وتلاعب مهدي عجيل باحد المدافعين على الجهة اليمني قبل ان يمرر كرة متقنة لمحمود يونس فطار لها بين مدافعين والمرمي مشرع امامه لكن كرته الرأسية مرت الى جانب القائم الايسر .
وسدد احمد حديد كرة لولبية من ركلة حرة مبشارة ابعدها الحارس العراقي بصعوبة ركلة ركنية .
وانفرد يونس بالمرمى العماني من الجهة اليمنى وبدل ان يسدد مرر كرة عرضية باتجاه نشأت اكرم غير المراقب لكن احد المدافعين قطع تمريرته في اللحظة الاخيرة منقذا مرماه من هدف اكيد .
الشرقية



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/19/2007 11:27:01 AM)

Iraq through after drab drawJul 16, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/a_omnvirq_01.jpg[/image]



BANGKOK – Iraq reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup for the fourth successive tournament after their goalless draw with Gulf rivals Oman at the Supachalasai Stadium on Monday coupled with Australia’s 4-0 win over hosts Thailand saw Jorvan Vieira’s side finish top of Group A.
It wasn’t Iraq’s best performance in the competition but the point was enough to ensure that the Iraqis stay in Bangkok for and will face Vietnam, who finished second in Group B despite going down 4-1 to Japan earlier on Monday while Australia will take on the defending champions after their 4-0 win over hosts Thailand took them through to the last eight as Group A runners-up.
Oman, needing to win to have any chance of reaching the last eight, had the first chance of the match when Badar Mubarak played the ball through to Ismail Al Ajmi in space near the box but a combination of the slickness of the rain-soaked pitch and the alertness of Noor Sabri saw the Iraq keeper safely take possession.
Three minutes later Badar fired a low drive to the keeper’s right but Sabri got down well to save the effort before the Oman forward again released Al Ajmi but again Sabri was equal to the task.
The Iran-based keeper did give the pocket of Iraqi fans a minor scare when his momentum caused him to spill the ball outside of the area, although he recovered in ample time to clear the danger.
It was all Oman in the opening 20 minutes and but for a couple of unproductive corners Iraq struggled to find the attacking verve that saw them outclass Australia 3-1 in their previous Group A fixture.
With five minutes left to play Mahdi Karim’s acrobatic overhead set Iraq skipper Younis Mahmoud and Ali Al Habsi off on a race for the ball which the Bolton Wanderers keeper won with a timely header clear from outside his area.
Immediately after Fawzi Basheer should have opened the scoring after being set-up by Badar – easily the best player of a disappointing first half – but the midfield dynamo’s close-range angled shot was too tame to trouble Noor. 
Oman pressed forward in the second half looking for the goal that would keep their Asian Cup dream alive but it was the Iraqis who had the first chance 15 minutes after the restart.
Mahdi Karim’s trickery took him past Issam Fayel allowing the midfielder to whip in a cross for Younis but the Iraq skipper, under pressure from two Oman defenders, headed wide.
The second half was punctuated by numerous free-kicks and from one of these Ahmed Hadid almost gave Oman a 62nd minute lead, but his curling effort was tipped over the bar by Noor.
Three minutes later Younis almost set up an unmarked Karrar Jassim, who came on at the end of the first half for the injured Hawar Mulla Mohammed, but the 2006/07 Qatar League’s top scorer under hit his square pass and the danger was cleared.
With ten minutes left to play Younis again had the chance to break the deadlock but his low strike was comfortably saved by Al Habsi.
Younis Al Mushaifri almost ensured Oman went out on a winning note but the substitute’s header three minutes from full-time flashed wide of Noor’s post before Imad Ali, one of a number of Omani players that Iraq coach Vieira groomed when the Brazilian was at the helm of the Gulf sultanate’s under 20s, saw a stoppage-time shot saved by Noor.



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/19/2007 11:32:14 AM)

 




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/a_ausvirq_04.jpg[/image]



salim -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/20/2007 9:31:44 PM)

vietnam today. insha alla we win. alla ewafuk isood al iraq.



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/21/2007 11:03:07 PM)

Iraq 2 - 0 Vietnam

Mabruk again to our team. Semi finals next!!



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/22/2007 9:32:16 PM)

Next
Korea republic Vs Iraq.
July 25th.



tigris81 -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/23/2007 7:47:31 AM)

Hi all,

I wish the team the best of luck!!. They are the only good news and only factor that seems to be uniting Iraqis at the moment and have done very well. Good luck to them!.



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/25/2007 10:12:43 PM)

Mabruk ya Esood Al Rafedain. Mabruk ya Sha3ab Al Iraq Al Mathloom. Did you see how the streets were full of Iraqis shouting Bil Mout Bil Dem Nifdeek ya 3iraq? Yes, YA 3IRAQ. Not Muqtada, or Maliki, or Sistani but they were all chanting for Iraq!! This team is doing wonders for moral on the streets and is bringing the people together. Insha Allah they beat the Saudis and win the cup for the downtrodden Iraqi people. Bless them all, each and every one of them.  [sm=smiley20.gif][sm=smiley31.gif][sm=smiley32.gif][sm=smiley31.gif][sm=smiley4.gif][sm=smiley31.gif][sm=smiley20.gif]



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/25/2007 10:32:31 PM)

Iraq through to finalJul 25, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/AC_250707_KORvIRQ_01.jpg[/image]



KUALA LUMPUR – Iraq claimed a place in the AFC Asian Cup final for the first time ever after outlasting Korea Republic 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday evening.
After a physical encounter which finished goalless, the Middle Eastern side prevailed in the spot kick lottery as goalkeeper Noor Sabri tipped aside Yeom Ki-hun’s spot kick and Kim Jung-woo hit the post with his side’s final attempt.
The Iraqis will face either Japan or Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta on Sunday, while the Koreans will be left to rue yet another missed opportunity as their title drought of 47 years continues.
Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from his side’s quarter-final win against Iran with Cho Jae-jin replacing Lee Dong-gook at centre forward and Choi Sung-kuk coming in for Kim Jung-woo on the left of midfield, while Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira made only one alteration from the 2-0 win over Vietnam as Qusai Munir replaced Haitham Kadhim in midfield.
The heavy conditions caused by incessant rain didn’t make for good football in a scrappy and goalless first half.
The first real chance fell to the Iraqis on 16 minutes as the ball broke in the Korean box to Younis Mahmoud, who arrived late yard box and fired a half-volley into the side netting.
The Koreans should have been awarded a free kick on the edge of the Iraq box midway through the half after Jassim Mohammed pulled down Lee Chun-soo but Kuwaiti referee Saad Al Fadhli allowed play to go on and Cho Jae-jin fired in a weak shot that gave goalkeeper Noor Sabri no problems
Iraq then went close when Haidar Abdul Amer’s cross from the right on 28 minutes flew just in front of a completely unmarked Karrar Jassim.
Mahmoud then had another chance to increase his tally for the tournament in the 39th minute when he controlled Hawar Mohammed’s through pass on the turn and fired a left-footed shot across the body of goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, just wide of the far post.
Two minutes before the break, Choi Sung-kuk’s free-kick from the right of the Iraq box was punched away by Sabri just in front of a flying Cho Jae-jin.
The action picked up after the break with the best of the early chances falling to Lee Chun-soo whose shot on the turn in the 48th minute flew just wide
Basem Abbas was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 59th minute for a sliding challenge on Yeom Ki-hun and from the resulting free-kick, taken by Yeom, Kim Jin-kyu headed over.
The Iraqis received a gilt-edge opportunity on 62 minutes when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Korean box after Karrar Jassim tumbled over under a challenge from Kim Jung-woo. Nashat Akram fired in a low shot that ricocheted off the foot of Hawar Mohammed but flew straight into the grateful arms of Lee Woon-jae.
Yeom’s left-footed free kick on 66 minutes forced Sabri to scramble the ball off his goalline, and the left winger’s corner kick two minutes later was met by Kim Jin-kyu, whose goal-bound header was deflected wide.
At the other end, Mahdi Karim’s low shot from the right of the Korean box crept between the legs of Younis Mahmoud and rolled just wide of the far post.
As both teams continued to create chances, Lee Chun-soo fired a volley wide while Hawar Mohammed rose in the Korean box to send a header just off target.
Deep into stoppage time, the Koreans were awarded a free-kick 30 metres from goal but with everyone anticipating a shot by Lee Chun-soo, it was Yeom Ki-hun instead who fired the ball into the wall before putting the rebound straight at Noor Sabri.
Extra time was called for Once again at Bukit Jalil and after a cagey opening, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock in the 95th minute when Lee Dong-gook’s flick on released Lee Chun-soo who rifled in a low shot from 20 metres which forced a good diving save out of Sabri.
Only the width of the post prevented the Iraqis from going ahead near the end of the first extra period of extra time as Mahdi Karim’s cross from the right was misjudged by Lee Woon-jae and was met by Hawar Mohammed whose shot hit the left upright before being hacked off the line by Kim Jin-kyu.
In the second period of extra time, Lee Chun-soo sent a free kick from the right edge of the box just over the crossbar while Hawar Mohammed fired a shot across the face of goal with the Korean defence standing and watching.
As penalties loomed, a header off a Mahdi Karim corner flew straight at Lee Woon-jae before Lee Dong-gook squandered the final attempt of the game, firing high over the crossbar from 20 metres.
The first six penalties of the shootout were converted before Sabri tipped Yeom’s poorly-taken attempt around the post.
Ahmed Mnajed then converted before Kim Jung-woo’s final attempt for the Koreans hit the right post, sending the Iraqis through to their first ever Asian Cup final.



saifali -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/26/2007 1:59:33 AM)

حصيلة جديدة للمجزرة التي ارتكبها أعداء الفرح والحياة بين جموع الشباب المحتفلين : 50 قتيلا و135 جريحا /خبران
 1-قالت الشرطة العراقية إن حصيلة الإنفجارين الذين وقعا في بغداد، الأربعاء، وإستهدفا محتفلين بتأهل المنتخب الوطني لكرة القدم إلى نهائي بطولة آسيا، إرتفعت إلى (50) قتيلا ونحو (135) جريحا. وذكر مصدر أمني للوكالة المستقلة للأنباء ( أصوات العراق) أن حصيلة السيارتين المفخختين التين إنفجرتا في منطقتين مختلفتين من بغداد عصر الأربعاء "ارتفع إلى (50) قتيل ونحو (135) جريحا."
وأوضح أن السيارة الأولى "إنفجرت، عصر اليوم، في حي ( المنصور) غربي بغداد بالقرب من ( تقاطع الرواد) بين جموع المحتفلين بفوز المنتخب العراقي، وأسفر إنفجارها عن مقتل (30) شخصا وإصابة (75) آخرين بجروح."
وأضاف المصدر "فيما إنفجرت السيارة الثانية مستهدفة محتفلين آخرين قرب نقطة تفتيش للجيش العراقي في ساحة (ميسلون) بمنطقة (حي الغدير) شرقي بغداد، ما أدى إلى متل (20) شخصا وإصابة (60) آخرين بجروح."
وكان الآلاف من العراقيين قد نزلوا إلى الشوارع إلى الساحات العامة والشوارع الرئيسية في العاصمة بغداد العاصمة وعدد من المدن العراقية في الجنوب والشمال، وهم يحملون الأعلام العراقية إبتهاجا بتأهل منتخبهم الوطني لكرة القدم إلى نهائي بطولة أمم آسيا، بعد فوزه اليوم في العاصمة الماليزية ( كوالا لمبور) بركلات الترجيح (4/ 3) على المنتخب الكوري الجنوبي .
وتعد هذه هي المرة الأولى التي يتأهل فيها المنتخب العراقي إلى نهائي بطولة كأس الأمم الآسيوية، التي وصل إلى نصف النهائي فيها مرة واحدة، وذلك في البطولة التي أقيمت في طهران سنة 1976.
وقامت الشرطة العراقية على الفور بإغلاق مكاني الإنفجارين وفرقت المحتشدين، فيما قامت سيارات الإسعاف بنقل المصابين إلى المستشفيات القريبة.
2- بي بي سي : قتل ما لا يقل عن خمسين شخصا وجرح نحو مئة في انفجار سيارتين مفخختين استهدفا محتفلين بتأهل المنتخب العراقي الى نهائي كأس الأمم الآسيوية لكرة القدم
ولقي 30 شخصا على الاقل حتفهم واصيب 75 آخرون في انفجار سيارة ملغومة وقع بالقرب من مجموعة من المشجعين
وقالت الشرطة ان الانفجار وقع في حي المنصور غرب العاصمة مشيرة الى ان القنبلة زرعت في سيارة كانت متوقفة
وقال مصدر آخر إن مفجرا انتحاريا هو المسؤول عن الانفجار
أما الانفجار الثاني فقد وقع بعد 45 دقيقة وسط عشرات السيارات التي كانت تنقل حشودا من الاشخاص المبتهجين بفوز منتخب بلادهم
ووقع الهجوم قرب حاجز للجيش العراقي في منطقة الغدير شرق العاصمة، مما ادى الى مقتل عشرين شخصا على الاقل بمن فيهم جنديان اضافة الى جرح 61 آخرين
وقال شاهد عيان رفض ذكر اسمه "كنت في سيارة مع اصدقائي وكان كل الناس يحتفلون حولنا ثم وقع انفجار ضخم واشتعلت النيران".



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/28/2007 9:52:00 PM)

IRAQ's ROAD TO THE FINAL


Qualifying Round
First in Group E
Under coach Akram Salman, Iraq got off to a poor start in the qualifying competition, losing 2-0 at Singapore in their opening game. But it would be their only defeat in the qualifiers as they won three of their next four games including a 2-1 victory against 2004 finalists China and a 4-2 win over Singapore in Al Ain to secure qualification for a fourth consecutive Asian Cup.

Group Stage
1-1 v Thailand
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Iraq kicked off against co-hosts Thailand in the opening game of the tournament and found themselves trailing after only six minutes to a Sutee Suksomkit penalty. However, the shock of the early goal sparked Jorvan Vieira’s side to life and they dominated proceedings before skipper Younis Mahmoud headed in a deserved equaliser just after the half-hour mark. The torrential rain and heavy pitch took their toll on the Iraqis as the game progressed and they had to withstand heavy pressure from the Thais in the second half to hold on for a point.
 
3-1 v Australia
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
After escaping with a 1-1 draw against Oman in their opener, pre-tournament favourites Australia were expected to turn up the heat against the Iraqis. But it was the Middle Eastern side that dominated instead, taking the lead through a 23rd minute Nashat Akram free kick that flew into the net after Mark Schwarzer misjudged the flight of the ball. Mark Viduka restored parity early in the second half but the Socceroos were stunned once again when Hawar Mulla Mohammed restored Iraq’s lead on the hour after receiving a superb pass from Akram. Karrar Jassim then capitalised on poor defending to seal a memorable victory for the Iraqis four minutes from time.
 
0-0 v Oman
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Needing only a draw to progress to the last eight, Iraq did just what was required of them in a dull stalemate against Oman. The Omanis created the best of the few chances on offer with goalkeeper Noor Sabri keeping out efforts by Ahmed Hadid and Imad Ali but there were few real worries for the Iraqi defence as they advanced at the expense of the Gulf rivals. Australia’s 4-0 win over Thailand in a match played at the same time meant that Iraq qualified for the quarter-finals as the top ranked team in Group A.

Quarter-finals
2-0 v Vietnam
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
By winning their group, Iraq were able to remain in Bangkok to face rank outsiders Vietnam, who had surprised everyone by reaching the last eight. But any hopes that South East Asian side of springing a surprise were shattered by Younis Mahmoud who headed his side ahead after less than 90 seconds. The Iraqi skipper made it 2-0 with a well-executed free kick in the 66th minute and was only denied the tournament’s first hat-trick by the excellent goalkeeping of Duong Hong Son. Having fallen at the last eight in the previous three tournaments, Iraq were finally able to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time in 31 years.
 
Semi-finals
0-0 (4-3 penalties) v Korea Republic
Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
After a gruelling 120 minutes played in wet and heavy conditions in Kuala Lumpur, Iraq outlasted two-time winners Korea Republic to advance to the Asian Cup final for the first time ever. The Iraqis had to absorb heavy Korean pressure at times, particularly in the second half, but created arguably the better chances with Hawar Mulla Mohammed hitting the post and also deflecting Nashat Akram’s free kick straight at goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae. Iraq keeper Noor Sabri would be his side’s hero in the penalty shootout, stopping Yeom Ki-hun’s effort before Kim Jung-woo hit the post to send the Middle Easterners through to the final.



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 8:49:34 AM)

Akram - Victory sends right messageJul 30, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/ac07_champ_02.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – Midfielder Nashat Akram is adamant that he and his Iraq team-mates successfully sent a message to the whole world following their AFC Asian Cup triumph on Sunday.
The 23-year-old won the man of the match award at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium as Younis Mahmoud’s 71st minute header secured a historic 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia had been tipped as pre-match favourites, but Iraq dominated the match and their defence, which only conceded two goals in the entire tournament, shutdown the explosive Saudi attack.
“We have delivered our message to the whole world," said Akram. “The message is that there is only one Iraq. Iraq belongs to all its sects and all its people.
“In our Iraq team we played with one unity regardless of our beliefs or sects and this is what should be the case back in Iraq.”
Akram, who played last season with Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab, said that the final of the tournament had a special atmosphere which made the game so hard to overcome.
“The game was very, very hard,” he said. “The Saudis were also hard because this is the final and there was a different atmosphere. However, what we wanted before the game happened and we made all of our people happy and all the people who supported us.
“I'm extremely happy because this (man of the match) award crowns not only my effort but all the efforts of my team-mates as well. This is the second time I have won the MVP of the match and it goes to all my team-mates.”
Another outstanding player in the Iraq midfield was Mahdi Karim, whose constant attacks from the right flank provided a major problem for the Saudi defence.
“This is a big achievement for Iraqi football because we won the title despite all the bad circumstances back at home these days,” he said.
“We gave life back to Iraqi people and we made them happy throughout this month with all the great results we had. It is an honour for all Iraqi people.”



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 10:33:41 AM)

Iraq players beam with victoryJul 30, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/a_ausvirq_04.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – Ahmed Mnajed admitted he is living a dream as Iraq’s players attempted to put into word’s their delight after landing a maiden AFC Asian Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Player of the tournament Younis Mahmoud scored the crucial goal with 19 minutes remaining to give Iraq the title in an appealing affair at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Saudi Arabia had scored 12 goals on their run to the final but rarely threatened the well-marshalled Iraqi defence, who kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.
“This is a dream that I'm still living in," said Ahmed Mnajed, who was a 83rd minute substitute on Sunday. “The game should have finished 1-0 and luckily it finished for us at the end.
“I'm extremely happy because this year was successful for me after winning Lebanon league and cup double with my club Al Ansar and now I have won the Asian Cup title with Iraq national team.”
Despite his delight, Mnajed said that he had hoped to have contributed more to the team's fairy tale victory.
“To be honest, I had a slight injury before the tournament and during the tournament it re-occurred again,” he added. “Therefore, I couldn't start in games while when I played I gave all my effort.”
Hawar Mulla Mohammed hailed the fighting spirit of his team-mates as they went into the game with an aim to win the title for the first time in their history.
“The game was beautiful and we fought throughout the match. We had an unbelievable fighting spirit and all the players gave all their best and to be honest we went to the game just to win the Cup,” he said.
“I had a good performance in the tournament but I might have not had the expected performance. However, all the team played very well and at the end we won the title.”
Karrar Jassim insisted Iraq were the better side and they eventually achieved the dreams of all Iraqi people with the fairytale triumph.
“The win will be a mark in Iraq history because no one reached this stage before despite all the achievements of the previous generations,” he said.
“I want to thank God for this victory and all the people back at home who prayed for us especially the families of martyrs and the injured people.
“As for the game, we could have scored easily in the first half with all the group effort that we had. But despite that we couldn't score early in the game and we eventually scored in the second half.
“We dominated the game and we were better in creating chances as well. When Saudi Arabia players tried to attack, we closed the midfield as it was the key for our success.”



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 10:36:41 AM)

Sabri delighted to upset oddsJul 30, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/ac_irq_noor.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri felt the newly-crowned AFC Asian Cup champions had surpassed all expectations just by getting to the knockout stage of Asia’s showpiece tournament.
Younes Mahmoud’s second-half header provided a fairytale ending to the competition on Sunday as Iraq lifted the Asian Cup for the first time in their history with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
And while Sabri insisted the championship was always his Jorvan Vieira’s side ultimate target, few believed that they would even survive the group stage after they were drawn alongside co-hosts Thailand, Gulf rivals Oman and tournament favourites Australia in Group A. “We were determined to win the title but to be honest even the greatest optimist in Iraq didn’t think that we would get a point from any of our games in the group,” said Sabri, whose side produced one of the surprises of the tournament with a 3-1 win over the Aussies.  “But we topped the group, beat Vietnam and defeated Korea before playing the final where we avenged our 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup last January in the best way possible.” Sabri also felt that his team rose to the occasion against the Saudis. “The game was great and both teams played well but it was certainly a historical game for our side,” added the Iran-based player.
“With all due respect to the Saudi team, we managed to stop everything that they threw at us and played our own game.
“It is a difficult situation to play in a final and we could have scored earlier in the game but it didn’t happen.”
Sabri had little to do during the game but excelled when called upon and produced an excellent save to deny Taisir Al Jassim's shot on the hour mark with the game still goalless.
“It was a crucial save but as a goalkeeper you have a lot of responsibilities and it helped to give a lot of confidence to my team-mates. “Fortunately, I was there to save it.”



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 10:39:04 AM)

Iraq secure historic triumphJul 29, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/ac07_champ_01.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – Younis Mahmoud headed home his fourth goal of the tournament as Iraq secured a memorable 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday to win the AFC Asian Cup.
The Iraqi skipper capitalised on a poor piece of goalkeeping by Yaser Al Mosailem to turn in Hawar Mohammed’s corner 19 minutes from time, giving the Middle Eastern side their first ever AFC Asian Cup crown.
The Saudis had scored 12 goals on their run to the final but rarely threatened the well-marshalled Iraqi defence which maintained its fourth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.
Jorvan Vieira and Helio dos Anjos kept faith with the players that had got them to the final with both Brazilian coaches making no changes from their starting line-ups from the semi-finals.
The first half was a robust affair with Australian referee Mark Shield showing a total of five yellow cards.
Qusay Munir fired the first shot in anger for Iraq, volleying wide from the edge of the box after six minutes, while Mahmoud’s acrobatic overhead kick from eight metres out flew wide two minutes later.
Munir was the first player into the referee’s notebook for a sliding two-footed challenge on Abdulrahman Al Qahtani after nine minutes while Saudi midfielder Saud Khariri was also booked six minutes later for a body check on Mahdi Karim.
Karrar Jassim was also shown a yellow card midway through the half after tugging back Khariri but the Iraqi midfielder showed his class in the 28th minute when he weaved his way between Ahmed Al Bahari and Khaled Aziz on the left byline before firing in a stinging shot that was turned aside by goalkeeper Yaser Al Mosailem at his near post
The match threatened to boil over on 37 minutes when Mahmoud went down in the Saudi box clutching his face after an altercation with Waleed Jahdali. Referee Shield managed to take the sting out of the situation and booked both players.
The Saudis had few chances in the opening half but proved dangerous on the counterattack with their best opportunity coming a minutes before the break when Yasser Al Qahtani surged into the Saudi box and stepped past Jassim Ghloam before a sliding challenge by Bassim Abbas deflected the Saudi skipper’s shot over the crossbar.
The second half began quietly but sparked back into life on 57 minutes when Nashat Akram played an excellent pass into Mahmoud, only for the Iraqi captain to be denied by Waleed Jahdali’s sliding challenge.
Taiseer Al Jassam went close for the Saudis on the hour with a shot on the turn that forced an excellent flying save from Noor Sabri but it was the Iraqis who were looking the more dangerous team.
A quick counter-attack in the 62nd minute saw Mahdi Karim release Mahmoud on the right side of the box but Al Mosailem stopped the initial shot and also turned aside Akram’s follow attempt.
Karrar Jassim just failed to make contact with a Mahdi Karim flick-on following a Hawar Mohammed corner while a bullet header by Mahmoud flew within inches of the target on 66 minutes.
However Iraq’s pressure would finally be rewarded in the 71st minute when Hawar Mohammed’s corner from the right was badly misjudged by Al Mosailem, who allowed the ball to sail over his outstretched glove and right onto the head of a lurking Mahmoud, who headed home at the far post.
Mahmoud could have sealed it on 77 minutes when he was sent clear by man of the match Akram’s great through ball but Al Mosailed was off his line quickly to deny the Iraq captain with his feet.
But with the Saudis unable to muster a shot on goal in the closing minutes, the Iraqis were able to hold on to complete a historic triumph.



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 10:40:08 AM)

I learned from Iraqis, says VieiraJul 30, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/coach_irq_jorvan_01.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – Victorious Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira hailed his players and their ability to overcome the worst of situations following their 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the final of the AFC Asian Cup.
Younes Mahmoud scored the only goal of the game as Iraq were crowned continental champions for the first time, with the win coming just days after more than 50 football fans were killed by several car bombs in Mosul.
The supporters were celebrating Iraq’s penalty shootout win over Korea Republic when the explosions went off, and as a mark of respect Vieira and his team wore black armbands on Sunday to commemorate the dead.
“The Iraq players are fantastic people and you have to understand the difficulties,” said their Brazilian coach. “They have had this situation for the past years and they have fantastic power inside themselves.
“They are hard workers with extra power to do whatever we want. We were working and shouting and fighting and complaining and shouting again but they support everything and now we have come to the final and we are champions.
“I learned a lot from these people, it was a good learning process for me and something I will keep forever in my life.”
Vieira, whose two-month contract with the Iraq Football Association has now expired, was confident his team would overcome the three-time champions at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the build-up to the match.
“I don’t know why but I was very calm today,” he said. “On the morning of the game I felt very well, sometimes this happens to me.
“I can feel when I’m going to lose a match but today I felt well and was secure that we could do something because of my relationship with the players. They have so much confidence, they were so sure and they wanted to win because it is very important for their country.
“We won today 1-0 but it was not enough for me. With all respect to Saudi Arabia, we could have won 2 or 3-0 today.
“I came here to win from the beginning. I want to win every time because I am a bad loser. Every time I wish to be here. When I watched Japan winning the Asian Cup in Lebanon in 2000, I thought: ‘I will be there one day’ and now I’m here.”
Vieira dedicated the win to team physiotherapist Anwar Jassim, who was killed in a bomb blast in the days before the Iraq team disembarked on the Asian Cup campaign.
“Anwar was going to pick up his ticket and he was on his way to be with us and he died in a bomb,” he said. “He left a wife and four kids. I didn’t know him but everybody liked him and this Cup, we offer to Anwar, our physio.”



Harry -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 10:44:24 AM)

Mahmoud pays Vieira tributeJul 30, 2007
PA Sport




[image]http://www.afcasiancup.com/shared/media/images/KO_IRQvVIE_03.jpg[/image]



JAKARTA – AFC Asian Cup-winning goal scorer Younes Mahmoud paid tribute to coach Jorvan Vieira after the Brazilian guided Iraq to their first-ever continental title with victory over Saudi Arabia.
Vieira steered the team to the title despite working with the Iraqis for just six weeks ahead of the tournament’s opening game against Thailand in Bangkok on July 7, but three weeks later Mahmoud was scoring the only goal of the final and the trophy was heading to Baghdad.
“Thanks to God we have had the pleasure of working with Vieira,” said the Al Gharafa striker, who finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer. “We have had a great experience.
“When I arrived in Jordan from Qatar to join the national team, I saw that Mr Vieira had prepared a special programme to win the championship. I was surprised really. We didn’t imagine that we would achieve such a thing.
“We were all joking about how the coach only had less than two months and asking how he could achieve such a victory because he knows nothing about the players.
“But I would like to say thank you to Mr Vieira, although if he stays is up to the Iraq Football Association.”
Vieira has decided not to renew his contract with the Iraqis despite steering them to a win that will go some way towards healing the emotional wounds of a nation still reeling from a double car bombing after the semi-final win over Korea Republic that left more than 50 football fans dead.
The Iraqi players and coaching staff all wore black armbands to commemorate those who had lost their lives and Mahmoud stressed the victims were uppermost in their minds when the team took to the field.
“After the match against Korea in the semi-final there was an explosion on the outskirts of Baghdad, in Mosul,” he said.
“More than 50 Iraqi people were killed while they were celebrating the victory and one of the victims, his mother said when her child was lying in front of her, she didn’t weep but she said: ‘I present my son as a sacrifice to the Iraq national team’. So we had to win.”



Lion of Babylon -> RE: Everyone support our team in the Asia Cup! (7/30/2007 4:52:06 PM)

quote:


Vieira dedicated the win to team physiotherapist Anwar Jassim, who was killed in a bomb blast in the days before the Iraq team disembarked on the Asian Cup campaign.

“Anwar was going to pick up his ticket and he was on his way to be with us and he died in a bomb,” he said. “He left a wife and four kids. I didn’t know him but everybody liked him and this Cup, we offer to Anwar, our physio.”


Dudes: Some touching words from our honorary Iraqi Mr. Vieira. I hope Anwar is smiling somewhere up there in the heavens.

Sad to hear Vieira will not be renewing his contract. [sm=smiley6.gif]



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