the beautiful game.

football is one funny 'ol sport. it has the ability to make grown men (okay.. and some women) laugh, cry, ogle, swear, taunt, gloat, cringe and probably experience many more other emotions.. but i guess Iraq's Asian Cup truimph tonight showed one of the many plusses of the world's most popular sport (ok, debate debate..).

Thousand miles back home in the "home" of war, Iraq.. people must have put away their animosities and strife to unite and get behind the Iraqi team made up of Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish players. These players, with only 2 months to gel as one, gave their all amidst reminders of the sectarian violence back home and the grief of losing their loved ones..

they prevailed against the mighty Saudis, three time Asian Cup champions.

what a victory for football,

what a victory for Iraq,

what a victory for unity amongst humankind..

.. even if it's only for awhile.