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!