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Iraq beats Saudi Arabia for Asian Cup title

Jul-29-2007 » Filed Under: Iraq News

This is a huge deal in Iraq. See Mike Gilbert's blog for a bit of background.

Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Iraq delivered an inspirational victory Sunday by winning the Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, a beacon of hope for a nation divided by war.

It was an extraordinary triumph for a team drawn together from all parts of the Gulf and with its players straddling bitter and violent ethnic divides.

raq scored on a 71st-minute header by Younis Mahmoud and dominated the final against heavily favored Saudi Arabia, a three-time Asian Cup champion. This was Iraq's first Asian Cup title.

Mahmoud, the Iraqi captain, met Hawar Mulla Mohammed's corner kick at the far post. Saudi goalkeeper Al Mosailem came for the ball and flapped at it without making any contact, presenting an easy chance for an unmarked Mahmoud with a goal that will long live in Iraqi folklore.

At the final whistle, Mahmoud sprinted across the field with his elated teammates in pursuit before they collapsed into a pile, overwhelmed with their achievement.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office announced that each player on the Iraqi team would receive $10,000.

The jubilation over the team known as the "Lions of the Two Rivers" gave Iraqis a rare respite from the daily violence. The victorious run sent men of all ages cheering and dancing in the streets in what politicians said was a show of unity that proved Iraqi factions could come together.

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