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JAKARTA - Despite their country being ravaged by a bloody civil war and amid rising tensions over the US presence in Baghdad, a team of soccer players from Iraq have the chance to send their homeland into a frenzy of celebration later today (NZ time).
Iraq is set to meet Saudi Arabia in the final of the prestigious Asian Cup tournament in the Indonesian capital today.
Whatever happens in the match, Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira has said he will part company with his team after today's cup final, because of the "shambolic state" of Iraqi soccer.
The Brazilian told Reuters he would turn down an extension to his two-month contract because of chronic disorganisation in Iraqi soccer, which he said made the job the most difficult of his career.
"I took this job because it was a tremendous challenge, and I have no regrets at all," Vieira said in a telephone interview.
"But I can't fight against everybody. I'm looking for a club or a national team with good organisation...here, I'm doing everybody else's job.
"If my contact was for six months and not for two they would have had to take me to the hospital for crazy people."
Vieira said steering the unfancied Iraqis to their first Asian Cup final was one of the finest moments of his career.
"It was very big for me, one of my greatest achievements," said the Brazilian, who has coached 26 clubs and five national teams.
"I had a gut feeling inside, a message that I should take this job. It was a fantastic experience, it was a gift from god."
HARD DECISION
The 54-year-old said it was a hard decision to turn his back on Iraq having been asked by players, fans and even Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to lead the team to the 2010 World Cup.
"For me, this is very difficult, everyone has asked me not to leave, but it's difficult working against my instincts," he said.
"I'm a very organised and meticulous man. It's difficult to work when you are agitated and things don't go as you wish. I have to fight against everything.
"I'm so tired, this is not good for my health," he added.
When Vieira took over two months ago, the team was in disarray, with poor training facilities, players unavailable and rifts between Shi'ites and minority Sunni Arabs in the squad.
As a result of Iraq's impressive performance in the Asian Cup, Vieira has been inundated with offers from club teams, although he denies reports he is set to replace Dutchman Pim Verbeek as South Korea's national coach.
"This is not true," he said. "I have not heard or said anything about this."
Iraq face three-times winners Saudi Arabia in Sunday's final in what Vieira hopes will be a fairytale finish to a campaign fraught with logistical mishaps and poor organisation.
Iraq's dream ride has captured the imagination of the sporting world and propelled the Asian Cup into uncharted waters, with even US media outlets joining the rush to report on their unlikely success.
Most of the interest has focused around the effect the team's progress has had in Iraq, uniting a country ravaged by sectarian violence.
The squad is made up of Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish players, moulded together by a Brazilian coach.
Whatever the outcome, Vieira said he and his players have something to be proud of.
"The whole world is talking about us," he said. "They are talking about the war in Iraq and they are amazed at what we have done as a team and as a group.
"This team have become stars in the world, and not only because of football.
"I'm very happy that I had the chance to help this team give hope to the Iraqi people."
FIFA SALUTES IRAQIS
Meanwhile, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has hailed Iraq's inspiring performance to reach the Asian Cup final as further proof of sport's ability to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Blatter, who will attend the final between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, said Iraq's achievement showed the unifying powers of football at their very best.
"To have the national team of Iraq in the final is definitely a great achievement when emotions are at their highest," Blatter told a news conference earlier today.
"This proves, if it was necessary, how football enhances the good national feeling of the people who are suffering so much in the past few years."
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HOW THEY GOT THERE:
Iraq topped their Group, which included Australia, Thailand and Oman.
Iraq then beat Vietnam 2-nil in their quarterfinal and defeated Korea Republic in the semifinal 4-3 on penalties, after a goal-less normal time and extra time.
Saudi Arabia also won the Group stage of early Asian Cup play, ahead of Korea Republic, hosts Indonesia and Bahrain.
The Saudis accounted for Uzbekistan 2-1 in their quarterfinal, then went on to beat Japan 3-2 in the semis.
- REUTERS
