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Craig HillA country celebrates...
July 26th 2007 10:48
The people of Iraq, have finally something to smile and be happy about, after seeing their national team book a place in the Asian cup final against neighbours Saudi Arabia.
Maybe just a Asian cup final win, will bring peace to Iraq and bring the country together, ending many months and years of internal fighting.
Iraq booked a finals berth by surprisingly and dramaticaly beating South Korea in a penalty shootout in Kuala Lumpur after being tied at 0 all after extra time, starting wild celebrations around the streets in Iraq.
The Iraqi's goal keeper, Noor Sabri was the hero tipping South Korea's Yeom Ki-Hun's spot kick around the post to clinch his sides famous victory.
Iraq actually had a chance to win the game in the first period of extra time when Iraq's Hawar Mulla had a shot from Lee Woon-Joe's fingertip deflection and hit the near post and then was hacked off the line by Kim Jin-Kyu
It will be Iraq's first Asian cup final.
On the other hand their opponents Saudi Arabia booked their place by defeating defending champions Japan 3-2.
If Japan would have won the Asian cup, it would have been the third time in succession.
It was goal for goal throughout the match to ensure a thrilling finish to the game with Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al Qahtani hooking a ball in from a free kick from Abdulrahman Al Qahtani, two minutes later Yuji Nakazawa from Japan equalised.
Two minutes into the second half Malek Maaz headed home another to put Saudi Arabia back in front, while it only took Japan's Yuke Abe six minutes to equalise again setting up a dramatic finish.
On the 57th minute mark Malek maaz was able to get past two defenders to kick a unstoppable goal to kick his second.
It seemed like Japan would have equalised again when Naotake Hanyu rattled the cross bar, but Saudi Arabia booked a place in the Asian Cup final against Iraq to be played in Jakarta on Sunday 29th, while Japan has to settle to play South Korea for third place on Saturday 28th in Palembang.
Maybe just a Asian cup final win, will bring peace to Iraq and bring the country together, ending many months and years of internal fighting.
Iraq booked a finals berth by surprisingly and dramaticaly beating South Korea in a penalty shootout in Kuala Lumpur after being tied at 0 all after extra time, starting wild celebrations around the streets in Iraq.
The Iraqi's goal keeper, Noor Sabri was the hero tipping South Korea's Yeom Ki-Hun's spot kick around the post to clinch his sides famous victory.
Iraq actually had a chance to win the game in the first period of extra time when Iraq's Hawar Mulla had a shot from Lee Woon-Joe's fingertip deflection and hit the near post and then was hacked off the line by Kim Jin-Kyu
It will be Iraq's first Asian cup final.
On the other hand their opponents Saudi Arabia booked their place by defeating defending champions Japan 3-2.
If Japan would have won the Asian cup, it would have been the third time in succession.
It was goal for goal throughout the match to ensure a thrilling finish to the game with Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al Qahtani hooking a ball in from a free kick from Abdulrahman Al Qahtani, two minutes later Yuji Nakazawa from Japan equalised.
Two minutes into the second half Malek Maaz headed home another to put Saudi Arabia back in front, while it only took Japan's Yuke Abe six minutes to equalise again setting up a dramatic finish.
On the 57th minute mark Malek maaz was able to get past two defenders to kick a unstoppable goal to kick his second.
It seemed like Japan would have equalised again when Naotake Hanyu rattled the cross bar, but Saudi Arabia booked a place in the Asian Cup final against Iraq to be played in Jakarta on Sunday 29th, while Japan has to settle to play South Korea for third place on Saturday 28th in Palembang.
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