Jakarta, NU Online
Iraq provided an inspiring moment in sports by winning the 2007 Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Sunday's final, a beacon of hope for a nation divided by war.
A squad drawn together in ad-hoc circumstances from all parts of the Gulf, and with its players straddling the bitter and violent ethnic divides, somehow conjured an extraordinary triumph over the odds.<>
And it was no lucky win. Iraq dominated the final against a heavily favored Saudi Arabia, a three-time Asian Cup champion.
At the final whistle, captain and goal scorer Younis Mahmoud sprinted across the pitch with his elated teammates in pursuit before they collapsed into a pile, overwhelmed with their achievement.
Iraq started the brighter and Mahmoud came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when his overhead kick of a cross from the right went narrowly wide of the post.
Midway through the half, Karrar Jassim Mohammed went even closer for Iraq when he beat two opponents while hemmed to the byeline, and his shot from a tight angle was accurate, forcing Saudi goalkeeperYasser Al Mosailem into a smart save.
Saudi Arabia finally conjured a decent chance in the 44th minute as star striker Yasser Al Qahtani charged at goal only to shoot over the bar under pressure.
Iraq began the second half still showing more initiative than a Saudi side that appeared confused by its failure to impose its attacking game.
Still Saudi Arabia had the first opportunity midway through the second half, with a long-range shot by Taisir Al Jassam forcing an acrobatic save out of Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri.
Associated Press reported, after a quiet start to the second half, that thrust prompted a flurry of penetrative attacks at both ends.
Firstly, Mahmoud's low shot was blocked by Al Mosailem, who sprung to his feet to then deny Nashat Akram's firm shot from the rebound.
With the crowd of about 60,000 roaring on their every forward thrust, the Iraqis had another chance when Mahmoud headed narrowly wide, and as Saudi Arabia whisked it up the other end, Malek Maaz also went close to a breakthrough.
Then in the 72nd minute came the goal that will long live on in Iraq folklore. A corner by Hawar Mulla Mohammed was floated high to the far post. Al Mosailem came for the ball and flapped at it without making any contact, presenting a simple chance for anunmarked Mahmoud to nod in the go-ahead goal.
Al Mosailem redeemed himself in the 77th minute to preserve a one-goal deficit, when Nashat played a through ball to put Mahmoud one-on-one with the Saudi keeper, who came quickly off his line to smother the shot.
An inspired Iraq continued to push forward, and only in the last five minutes did they put men behind the ball, clinging on desperately as Saudi Arabia probed for the equalizer to no avail. (dar)
Iraq provided an inspiring moment in sports by winning the 2007 Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Sunday's final, a beacon of hope for a nation divided by war.
A squad drawn together in ad-hoc circumstances from all parts of the Gulf, and with its players straddling the bitter and violent ethnic divides, somehow conjured an extraordinary triumph over the odds.<>
And it was no lucky win. Iraq dominated the final against a heavily favored Saudi Arabia, a three-time Asian Cup champion.
At the final whistle, captain and goal scorer Younis Mahmoud sprinted across the pitch with his elated teammates in pursuit before they collapsed into a pile, overwhelmed with their achievement.
Iraq started the brighter and Mahmoud came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when his overhead kick of a cross from the right went narrowly wide of the post.
Midway through the half, Karrar Jassim Mohammed went even closer for Iraq when he beat two opponents while hemmed to the byeline, and his shot from a tight angle was accurate, forcing Saudi goalkeeperYasser Al Mosailem into a smart save.
Saudi Arabia finally conjured a decent chance in the 44th minute as star striker Yasser Al Qahtani charged at goal only to shoot over the bar under pressure.
Iraq began the second half still showing more initiative than a Saudi side that appeared confused by its failure to impose its attacking game.
Still Saudi Arabia had the first opportunity midway through the second half, with a long-range shot by Taisir Al Jassam forcing an acrobatic save out of Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri.
Associated Press reported, after a quiet start to the second half, that thrust prompted a flurry of penetrative attacks at both ends.
Firstly, Mahmoud's low shot was blocked by Al Mosailem, who sprung to his feet to then deny Nashat Akram's firm shot from the rebound.
With the crowd of about 60,000 roaring on their every forward thrust, the Iraqis had another chance when Mahmoud headed narrowly wide, and as Saudi Arabia whisked it up the other end, Malek Maaz also went close to a breakthrough.
Then in the 72nd minute came the goal that will long live on in Iraq folklore. A corner by Hawar Mulla Mohammed was floated high to the far post. Al Mosailem came for the ball and flapped at it without making any contact, presenting a simple chance for anunmarked Mahmoud to nod in the go-ahead goal.
Al Mosailem redeemed himself in the 77th minute to preserve a one-goal deficit, when Nashat played a through ball to put Mahmoud one-on-one with the Saudi keeper, who came quickly off his line to smother the shot.
An inspired Iraq continued to push forward, and only in the last five minutes did they put men behind the ball, clinging on desperately as Saudi Arabia probed for the equalizer to no avail. (dar)
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