Victory In Chaos

I admit that Iraq's victory over Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup finals was a very pleasant surprise. In soccer, the underdogs would sometimes triumph over their much fancied opponents. I think all of you are aware of what the Iraqi people are currently experiencing. Their team's victory has uplifted the country's spirits in a time when the people's future looks bleak and uncertain.

Last week, I tuned in a radio talk show that discussed the Iraqi victory and learned about some interesting and surprising facts that their soccer team had to go through. For starters, the Iraq soccer team obviously could not train for the Asian Cup in their home country. They had to train outside, in Europe, I believe. They were not given the chance to train on grass in a proper stadium. Instead, they trained on the road! Most of the players had to cough up their own cash to buy food to sustain their energy levels. And when they were not allowed to cook their own food by the hotel in which they were staying, the Iraqi team only ate bananas and some vitamins!

When the Asian Cup started the later stages, two of their players lost their loved ones in bombings in Iraq. A player lost his stepfather and another lost a member of his family. I absolutely salute Iraq's never-say-die attitude and style while playing. Their victory in the Asian Cup was thoroughly deserved and I pray that sooner or later, Iraq will be at peace, without any foreign intervention. Long live Iraq!