Go Iraq!!!

At this Hour, Iraq Finds Itself on the Threshold of Good News!

Iraq's national football team beat favorites South Korea 1-0 earlier this week to get through to the final of the Asian Games.

There has already been great jubilation. But nothing compared to what may be coming!

The final is against Qatar (within hours).

A 25-year-old Iraqi doctor, Amer al-Harky told the BBC News:

If we win it will be the beginning of a new Iraq. I think Iraq's chance to win it is 50%. They are a good team and have a chance, but Qatar has better opportunities, because it is playing in its own country.

(Where in Baghdad did you expect it to be played?) The Iraqis are also without their best player, Younis Mahmoud, who was suspended for time-wasting in the semi-final.

The state television channel Iraqiyya has already started its pre-game coverage hours before the 1300 GMT kick-off. It is the first final the national football team have reached in 24 years, uniting Iraqis across the country.

If the team wins, expect a frenzy of celebration - and gunfire across towns and cities, the usual way Iraqis mark big events. The US embassy has been warning employees to be inside once the game starts, because of the risk of being hit by falling rounds.

The national team is young - 90% of them are under 21. It is also mixed, with both Shias and Sunnis appearing on the pitch for the final.

Coach Yahya Manhel has had to drive his players back and forth to Jordan - along some of Iraq's most dangerous roads. Three of his predecessors have resigned because of death threats. A football federation official was murdered. The coach received death threats.

Several Iraqi professional players have been kidnapped. One was killed by a stray bullet while training. Consequently, many of the players are based abroad. And because of the violence, they did most of their training outside Iraq.

Iraq needs this win!