Iraq won the 2007 AFC cup!

At first, I was afraid that theirs story will end in tears. But, that's the human spirit for you. They showed the world that in spite of not having the training facilities, or a soccer league of their own. Added to that that their country are in turmoil. Who would have thought that they'll beat Saudi Arabia?

I myself thought that the Saudis were a better team. With highly paid players playing in their top club. I know that they have good quality skillful players. But, yesterday on the match itself they can't match the Iraqis determination to win not just for themselves but for their war-torned country. What a triumph!

All over the news in CNN, BBC talking about that historical win and almost all hope that the politicians should take a lesson from sports and particularly the soccer team. Where in the team there were Muslims, Christians, Kurds, Sunnis and Shias but they manage to unite and work as a team.

Iraq should learn. We all should learn to live together as one people. We are all humans aren't we?

Nahh... we'll never learn.

Point in case? We're still making weapons to kill each other. Aren't we?

Oh yeah, by the way. We are still at war with the world. Not, just in Iraq. But, in Palestine and Israel. In the African countries. There's fire brewing underneath our feet. That fire is waiting to burn us all. We would think that it's just a small harmless fire but that small fire could grew bigger, fanned by hatred among us. It's just a matter of time..

And time is running out for all of us ..

Iraq through to the AFC Final !!

Total JUBILATION for Iraq!!

They are through to the AFC cup final!!

Against all odds, Iraq have defeated Korea via a penalty shootout 4-3. I'm pretty sure in Iraq right now the people are out on the streets shouting and honking their cars. Waving the Iraq flag in jubilation of their soccer team advancing to the final.

Iraq, a country ravage by war. By internal fighting. At the brink of a civil war. But, with football they are united. Kurds, sunni or shia. They fought for each other and with spirits to win for their beloved country. I have to hand it to them. They, deserves all the praise in the world after what the people and the players themselves have to go through just to play football.

This could be the greatest underdog story for football fans worldwide.

I salute the Iraq players.

In the world without hope and living in desperation and death of relatives in Iraq, they fought through and did their very best. They believe in something. And football help them fulfill that dream.

For me though, I'm fed up with Paypal for closing my account today with them without giving me a chance to settle the problem!

That's life for you.

That's life for me too. When, I thought things are getting a bit better and circumstances have to bring me down.

Life is full of crap. Thank you very much!

AFC: Vietnam Vs. Iraq

I'm watching the Asia Football Championship between Vietnam and Iraq right now (while typing this). And, I think it's kind of ironic that both of this country used to and currently at war that involved the U.S. Army.

Remember the Vietnam war?

That's what the terrorist is telling the U.S.

Right, now the U.S. army is in Iraq. A country ravage by war just like Vietnam used to be.

Now, this two country meet in a football match. I wonder, if the Vietnam players are telling the Iraq players that their country too may become peaceful when and if the U.S. get out of Iraq just like they get out of Vietnam.

That could be interesting.

I think time will only tell if this could happen.

By the way, the earlier match between Japan and Australia ended in a penalty shootout after extra time and Japan deservedly win. The goalkeepers saved two shots and he help the Japanese go through to the semi-finals.

Australia was touted as one of the contender to win the AFC cup but, I think that's kind of arrogant and this proved how I was right in thinking that Australia should be kick out of the AFC cup at least for a couple of years.

The way they played was too sluggish to my liking compared to the other Asian countries like Thailand or Vietnam. Which play fast, beautiful football.

Australia on paper seems like a good team with their Europe based players like Harry Kewell that plays for Liverpool and Mark Viduka now playing for Newcastle. But, in the football pitch it's a different matter.

Well, that's all I wanted to say today.

I'm going back to watching the match. It's kind of heartening that in spite of their country torn by war the Iraq players are pretty good. They're playing good strong football. That's really surprising to me. Well, good for them then.

Chow for now.