eMShi Blog

Who’ll ever expect that a country under war could win a competition and be a champion. It’s Iraq that just recently became the winner of AFC Asian Cup 2007 after defeating Saudi Arabia by 1-0 (0-0) in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. It’s a very special moment for the people of Iraq to show their existence, in the nuance of war and internal conflict in their home country, after US and its alies invasion to the country in order to beat down Saddam Husein.

The supporters in the stadium, of which the majority of them are Indonesians — as the games being held in Jakarta, never stopped yelling "Iraq, Iraq, Iraq" to show their supports to the country. It didn’t mean that they didn’t like Saudi Arabia, it just that if Saudi Arabia won, it’d be regular as expected, but if Iraq won, it’d mean a lot, a symbol of strive for independence, ruling their own country without the shadow of foreign troops.

The joy of happiness also held around Iraq, brought the unity. It’d really be a good momentum for the people of Iraq to unite, instead of divide, for one goal, one destiny, to get their real independence and rule their own country. Unfortunately, Younes Mahmoed, the team captain, and the one and only goal maker of the final game, fear to celebrate the win in his home country, it’s ok for him to be with the people celebrating the win, but who will guarantee the security? So, where the question gonna find the answer. Still there should be hope as it is the game that bring the world in unity and peace.