Asian Cup Final: Iraq are the winners.

Bandwagoner SBS journo Massi got his Iraqi shirt and no doubt the Italian Aussie was waving his new football shirt all night in Jakarta. Good for you Massi, but remember you live in Sydney, mate!

Amazingly, to me at least, the worn torn and divided Iraqi nation has produced a team capable of winning the Asia Cup.

And here are two of the guys that did it. Younis Mahmoud and Hawar Mulla undoubtedly two of Iraq's star men.



Iraq won one nil in Jakarta overnight defeating Saudi Arabia.

A great result for a nation and football if ever there was one. Well done Iraq and well done Saudi Arabia.

With all players playing in Saudi Arabia they were still good enough to beat Japan and reach the final.

And well done this man. Jorvan Vieira. The Brazilian Coach, and the first man ever to ask me a question in a Press Conference! See earlier post under Jorvan Vieira label.

A gentleman. Jorvan was one of THE great guys of the 2007 Asian Cup.

Iraq have 31 players in 8 rooms!

What a way to prepare!

AFC stuffed Iraqi sleeping arrangements prior to the semi-final, with 31 players sleeping in 8 rooms.

Could this successful team be more under prepared for the finals and final.

and still they perform.

Imagine some of the Aussie boys from England surviving such an ordeal.

Still tomorrow nights game should be a cracker.

No Saudi Arabian player plays outside Saudi Arabia! Maybe that is where Australia went wrong. All our players should come from Saudi Arabia:)

Iraq have more than football to play for, so I hope they win.

The two coaches have the same agent! They are both Brazilian and say they will share the cup if they win!

Wonder if any Aussie team or FFA have thought about employing such coaches in the future.

Younis Mahmoud to miss a hatful but score the winner, with a pass supplied by the supplier of his Baghdad Caress, Hawa Mulla.

Good luck Iraq.

And if they win a special plea for 48 hours peace in Iraq to allow football and humanity to triumph over war!

Saudi Arabia v Iraq into the final!

Well possibly the smallest crowd in history will watch the Asia Cup final between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

If Graham Arnold takes responsibility for the demise of the Socceroos who should take responsibility for the continents best playing their semi-finals and finals before a few thousand?

Iraq made it, albeit on penalties. Coach Jorvan Vieira has done a remarkable job. Amazing what this team has achieved when you think of the circumstances in their country over the last five years.

And Japan is out! Every one's winner is gone. Maybe the Australia game took too much out of them.

Either way conceding three goals was not pretty.

Saudi Arabia, with all of its players playing in Saudi Arabia, reach the final.

There's a thought.

The future of Australian football. It's not the A-League but it could be in years to come when money increases and some of the players stay longer.

So on to Sunday.

Iraq for my heart. They were strong against South Korea and have improved throughout the tournament.

Saudi Arabia have had a difficult route and surprised many, so they will start favourites.

Iraq have struggled to win games apart from the game against Australia:)

Draws with Oman, Thailand, a win over Vietnam and penalties against Korea.

Can you win the Asia Cup by winning two games?

I think not, though Vieira and his mates will not care one hoot if they do.

Wily Coach Vieira may well out-smart his opponent,