I'd rather have the Iraqis winning...maybe it will cause the sunnis and the shias to put the iraqi nationality first and then their religion and stop the iraqi vs iraqi madness that's going on there. There were other cases in which an unlikely event put an end to a war so there's hope for the iraqis too. For example Bob Marley single handedly stopped the war in jamaica when he held a concert there. The conflict in Senegal also stopped for now after Didier Drogba proposed that the national team played a football game in the rebel controlled part of the country
Great point, iul! That's exactly what I think also! Maybe football (soccer) can do in a small amount of time what the military needs ages to complete. But I just hope that there aren't any political pressures, and that Iraqis are so motivated to win it on their own. Maybe it's going to be easier now that they presumably don't have to be worried about being tortured if they lose!
I want Iraq to win because I am from Iraq. iul, aside from the joy that it would bring to Iraqis (they haven't felt joy in a long, long time,) it wouldn't do a thing. It's not the average Joe who is causing the tragedies happening there or bombing markets. Tens were killed or wounded after the celebrations of reaching the final the other day by two car bombs. Iraq's problems are being caused by organizations like Al-Qaida or the Mahdi army. Both see the footballers (soccer players) as infidels who should be killed in the first place. So yeah, you should not hold your breath.
But maybe it'll reinforce the will and determination to fight them. I think it can only do good. But thanks very much for your point!
I think a win for the Iraqis if something the nation in general could use right now. Between their coach, goaltender and captain there is a Sunni, a Shiite and a Kurd. Good for solidarity, and something that the nation can embrace.
I hope it will be Iraq also due to the fact they have been through so much recently and this would help to get some unity going! Post made after final score - Well done - the right result....
Definitely. Our people don't get to hear good news that often. However, aside from the happiness the win brought (I am happy to see the Iraqi flag recognized by something other than wars or crisis for once,) I do not think it will do anything. Problems there are caused by terrorists who hate humanity in general, and there is not much you can do against animals willing to bomb themselves up to make others suffer. Anyway, this was symbolic, but I am kinda happy now. Oh and Canada rules.
Yes, I am actually surprised by how well they played. I thought Saudi Arabia would dominate after seeing their last game. Iraq really deserved the win.
Congrats! I am happy for you! And I want to be optimistic and I really hope that you're wrong. Even if it helps very little, in that situation every little helps, and is probably worth a few lives saved...
This is great ! Sport can bring nation together. It would be good if US would help Afghanistan people to make some teams or something and let them take participation on Olympic games next year even if they don't meet results to go to Olympics. This way the world would show Afghan people they really care and want them to participate in world events ! Congrats to Iraqis !
like the commentator talks. finally a football fairytale come true. good play from iraq's, from the underdog become a winner. they beat australia (good for you), south korea and than saudi arabia. and most indonesian, are in iraq's side.
Cheering for Iraq! iul's post was definitely one of the top ten posts I've ever seen here. Very well said!