Posted by Mohammed Nanabhay to Global Voices Online
Football fans in Qatar were ecstatic over the Qatari national team’s 1-0 win over Iraq in a World Cup qualifier. Greeker described it as “Qatar’s greatest football moment…” writing:
75th minute, Said Bachir heads in a goal.
A moment frozen in time.
QATAR lives its greatest moment in international football.
This crucial victory comes after Qatar Football Association was cleared from any wrongdoing after claims that they had fielded an ineligible player in previous matches with Iraq and China.
The fact that Iraq was beaten out of the tournament was not lost on Qatari bloggers. Diamond wrote:
Sorry Iraq. I applaud your courage and determination. If you had beat Qatar I’d be rooting for you guys all the way.
….I so much want that country [Iraq] to succeed…in every aspect. My heart is for Iraq too.
whoami commented
I’m so proud. Both Qatar and Iraq put their hearts into it. Of course I’m happy that Qatar won, but I’d have been equally happy if Iraq won.
Amidsts all the congratulations and “mabhrooks”, tallg was quick to point out that Qatar now has to compete in Round 4 in order to qualify for the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.