Iraq beat neighbor and bitter rival Saudi Arabia 1-0 to cap one of the most improbable runs in Asian soccer history. Gunfire could be heard across the capital despite a security curfew aimed at preventing a repeat of the deadly bombings that occurred last Wednesday after the team, dubbed the “Lions of the Two Rivers,” beat South Korea to reach the final in Jakarta. Today, with the entire nation, U.S. military forces, foreign journalists and contractors cheering in front of television sets and radios, the Iraqi team put on a dazzling display of skill and sheer guts to lift one of the world’s most prestigious soccer trophies without losing a single match.
The story seems pure Hollywood: An underdog team from a divided, war-torn country creates the first real good news here in months. A Muslim country, no less, which eclipsed traditional soccer giants such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Team captain Younis Mahmoud, a Sunni on a team dominated by Shiites, once again scores the winning goal. Post-Saddam Iraq, the setting of a proxy war among Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, teaches its neighbors a thing or two about unity and passion. To steal a phrase uttered about the U.S. hockey team at the 1980s Olympics: “Do you believe in miracles?”
It remains to be seen what affect – if any – this stunning victory will have on Iraq. Let’s not forget that the curfew imposed here today was to prevent suicide bombers from al Qaeda in Iraq, Sunni insurgents, and Shiite militiamen from using the euphoria to kill scores of people. The country’s main political parties remain as divided as ever, and the Iraqi government is barely functioning. “At least they’re united [with soccer], unlike the government and political process,” Zalmay Khalilzad, the former American ambassador to Iraq, said during an interview on CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.” On the other hand, who cares? The Iraqi people have been through so much that they deserve to spend Sunday night celebrating a victory that truly is one for the entire nation. I’m a huge football fan myself, and ironically, am based in Jakarta. I missed the Cup Final because I’m here in Iraq – and I couldn’t be happier.
I hope that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, isn’t too upset today. The revered Shiite cleric issued a religious decree – or fatwa – prior to the match ordering the faithful not to fire weapons into the air because people were killed by falling bullets after previous tournament wins. Few people obeyed, if the gunfire outside the Newsweek bureau was anything to go by. People in many countries celebrate by firing weapons into the air, and it’s a habit not easily broken. But for the Iraqis, at least there’s something to celebrate in this bloody, unfortunate land. Let’s hope the hangover is a long one.
