Asian Cup final in Jakarta

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Iraq’s soccer team gave war-weary fellow citizens a reason to celebrate after upsetting three-time winner Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final of the Asian Cup at Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.

When referee Mark Shield of Australia blew the final whistle, Iraq’s skipper and goal scorer Younis Mahmoud ran across the pitch followed by teammates, before they fell into a pile to the jubilation of about 50,000 supporters.

The victory was welcomed by thousands of Iraqis in Baghdad, including members of the security forces, with barrages of gunfire. Soldiers, police and civilian gunmen let off long volleys of automatic fire skyward and into the waters of the Tigris River within seconds of the final whistle in Jakarta, AFP reported.

They defied a strict government cease-fire order from Baghdad security authorities who had imposed an overnight vehicle curfew to prevent insurgent car bomb attacks and ordered police to arrest anyone who took part in the traditional celebratory gunfire.

According to AP, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s office announced that each Iraqi player would receive US$10,000 for their achievements.

Iraq, which never before made the Asian Cup final, stunned hot favorites Saudi Arabia with their offensive play, creating several chances in the early minutes, including a bicycle kick by Mahmoud that went a meter wide past Saudi goalkeeper Yasser Al Mosailem’s net.

Saudi’s best scoring chance came in the 43rd minute when captain Yasser Al Qahtani fired away from inside the penalty box, only to see the ball deflect off an Iraqi defender and dribble out of bounds.

In the second half, an unmarked Mahmoud headed the ball into Saudi’s goal after receiving a corner kick from midfielder Hawar Taher.

Iraq’s Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira, who only signed a two-month contract with the Iraqi Football Federation and always intended to leave after the tournament, could not hide his joy.

“I don’t know. Since the morning, I felt very good. There was a feeling that we would not lose today. My players too had so much confidence and they were so sure (about winning). Honestly, 1-0 is not enough, with all respect to Saudi. We could have reached a better result,” the 54-year-old said during the post-match press conference.

“The Iraqi players are fantastic people. They have fantastic power inside themselves. They have extra power to accomplish whatever they are told to do.”

Saudi Arabia’s Brazilian coach Helio Dos Angos also praised Iraq.

“Iraq deserved to win. They made it very difficult for us to play our football. I feel sorry for the Saudi people but proud of my players and optimistic for the future,” he said.

Three players — Al Qahtani, Naohiro Takahara (Japan) and Mahmoud — finished the tournament as top goalscorers with four goals each.

The Abdullah Al Dabal Award for the tournament’s most valuable player went to Mahmod, while compatriot Ashat Akram earned the Man of the Match award for the final.