WE are the CHAMPIONS!

In my wildest dreams, I didn't imagine that Iraq could win the Asian cup. Winning such tournament requires big efforts, a great support and a hard work to build and prepare a strong team that can vie the others. Those standards are available for many big teams such as; Japan, South Korea, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia ( the Aussies have joined the AFC "Asian Football Confederation" recently). Those teams belong to countries are known by their stable security and economic situation. Before the start line of this tournament, I hoped that Iraq would show an attractive performance and try to be a tough contender. Actually, the Iraqi squad had something more to say. They became on the top of the group on Australia after the exciting victory against "All Stars" Australia (3-1). Victories continued and Iraq was through to the semi-final again since 31 years ago. They had to play against South Korea "the giants of Asia" in the semi-final. The optimism became stronger and the hope was bigger this time. The Iraqi players believed that they could make the difference there, therefore, they translated the dreams of a whole nation into a remarkable show in the ground. And after a dramatic match that made the crowd out of breath, Iraq won the match on penalties (4-3). I think all of you have seen the celebration of the Iraqi people there in Baghdad. Thousands of people were dancing and partying the big event of reaching the final for the first time ever. But the fiends of death were not pleased to see the Iraqis gathering in big crowds with no difference or discrimination between Sunni, Shiite or Kurds, so, they tried to kill the joy and turn off the flame of unity and the result was a bombed car and 50 innocent people killed. To be quite honest, I couldn't sleep that night!
One of the poor women has lost her son in that brutal blast decided not to set up the funeral because she believed that the Iraqi team would win the cup. So, the Iraqi players made a promise to do the impossible to grab the victory in the final. And they didn't disappoint that poor mother and other 25 millions of Iraqi ppl. They beat the Saudi team by (1-0) and they won the asian title for the first time. As soon as the refree ended the match. hundreds of thousands of Iraqi all over the globe were out in the street partying the joy of the victory. As for me, I couldn't control myself and I went on crying like a baby. It was a great moment not for my own life only, but for millions of Iraqis I'm sure.
Iraq has won again. And no, 13! You ain't gonna hear the end of this!

Congratulations, Iraqis!