It was a year for triumph and tragedy. Champions were crowned on three continents, and a new generation of stars dominated the international club scene. But 2007 was also marked by tragedy as Italian soccer descended into violence.
Tag: asian cup
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“During the two hours of game time, I live in another world. I forget about the car bombs and feel human again, and what is more beautiful is that the team includes all sects — they are all Iraqis to us and they make me feel that we are united again.”
— Nawfal Hameed, an electric appliance shop owner in Baghdad, where the streets have been empty as Iraqis watch their national team on television in action at the Asian Nations Cup. (New York Times)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Iraq victory at Asian Cup touches off wild celebrations back home
Iraq, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia moved into the semifinals of the Asian Cup with wins over the weekend. Captain Younis Mahmoud scored twice to give Iraq a 2-0 win over upstart Vietnam and advance to the semifinals of the Asian Cup for the first time since 1976. Iraqis of all backgrounds took to the streets to celebrate the victory by the team of Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish players. Three people were killed and 25 others injured by stray bullets in Baghdad.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
China knocked out of Asian Cup in stunning upset
Uzbekistan shocked Group C favorite China, 3-0, on Wednesday and knocked it out of the Asian Cup. Uzbekistan travels to Jakarta, Indonesia, to face Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Iran will stay in Kuala Lumpur and will face South Korea. Vietnam, the only one of the four co-hosts to advance, plays Iraq in Bangkok. Japan and Australia meet in Hanoi in a replay of their controversial 2006 World Cup match.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
OFF THE POST: Japan coach brings interpreter to tears; befuddles press
After Japan played Qatar to a disappointing 1-1 tie in the Asian Cup, Japan’s Bosnian coach Ivica Osim railed into his players, calling them a bunch of amateurs, and so on. But just some of the rant got through to the team, because translator Zen Chida broke into tears midway through the tirade. Then on the eve of Japan’s game against Vietnam, Osim told the members of the media, “Stop asking me about rabbits!”