More on Iraq Olympic Football
Published August 14, 2004
Iraq is in group D, which contains Morocco, Costa Rica and Portugal. According to the FIFA World Rankings, these teams are ranked 33, 26 and 22 respectively. Iraq is ranked 45 in th world, but they are already in first place in group D, having dispatched a very good Portugal team who recently placed second in the European Championships.
IF Iraq can do well in these Olympics, it could influence the triumph of democracy in Iraq. Omar from Iraq the Model called the win over Portugal "the best victory Iraq soccer team have ever scored."
If Iraq advances to the quarterfinals, which they are in good shape to do, it will be match their best performance in any Olympics to date. Perhaps more Iraqis will realize that the shadow of Saddam is gone and that they have real cause to hope. I certainly hope this is the case.
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- More on Iraq Olympic Football
- Published: August 14, 2004
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: Jeremy Chrysler
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Portugal is a bunch of chokers anyway. They choked against the US in the last WC, and they choked against Greece in the last EuroCup.
Iraq's victory here was a fluke.
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The world rankings aren't necessarily applicable. Olympic soccer (football) for men is an under 23 sport. The teams that are ranked are national teams with no age restriction, that will compete in the World Cup in two years.