Iraq ride wave of support to lift Asian Cup

HAPHAZARD PREPARATION

Few people had given Iraq any chance of winning the tournament after haphazard preparations brought about by the war at home and facing opponents appearing in their sixth final in the last seven Asian Cups.

Iraq were forced to train and play qualifiers in neutral countries and Vieira, who confirmed his resignation after the match, only had two months to mould a team that included Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish players.

"I have learnt a lot from this last two months," Vieira said. "We all know the problems in Iraq but I have learnt that they are a fantastic people. They have an extraordinary power."

None of the Iraqi players have been untouched by the war and although they have tried to mask their grief, there were constant reminders of the sectarian violence at home.

At least three players in the squad have lost relatives in the past two months and the players wore black armbands during the final in memory of the 50 people killed by suicide bombers after Wednesday's semi-final win over South Korea.

Mahmoud, who was named best player of the tournament, said one of the tragedies of the war was that the team would not even be able to return to Iraq with the trophy.

"I wish we could go, but you just don't know who will kill you," he said.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was at the Gelora Bung National Stadium for the final, said Iraq's achievement had inspired millions and was proof of sport's unique power to unite people in the most desperate circumstances.