I think this speaks volumes about the spirit of people in general, and how hard it is to break it. Through all this country has been through (thanks to GW), they still have the spirit to survive and train a soccer team that just may win the Asian Cup. There’s not a single member on the team who hasn’t lost a family member to this war. This team has brought together Iraqis of different religious and ethnic backgrounds. I wish them the best of luck and hope they take it all the way!

In the Asian Cup final against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Iraq is the underdog in every way imaginable.

Saudi Arabia, which has appeared in five of the last six finals, is a three-time champion. Iraq has never been to the finals and last played in the semifinals 31 years ago.

But that is only the beginning of the uphill fight for Iraq’s young, beleaguered players.

When the Iraqi national soccer team left Malaysia for the finals here, they were delayed three hours in the Kuala Lumpur airport before collapsing into their cramped, economy-class seats.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s team strolled onto its stylish, private jet, accompanied by media representatives, interpreters, doctors and coaches, and was whisked here.

This has been the story for the Iraqis the entire tournament. The underfinanced team has been plagued by endless complications with travel, accommodations, food, training and equipment.

“From A to Z, everything has been a problem from the very beginning,” said Jorvan Vieira, the head coach from Brazil who brushed aside death threats to take his short-term job with Iraq.

More at the New York Times