An Iraqi Perspective

[webmaster]

fair is fair. we effed up in the Olympic qualif. and we paid for it, now Iraq effed up and has to pay for it. doesn't have to be so complicated!

[Tehranto]

I'm sorry, but have you seen what Iraqis been saying about Iranians on social media? This is not a one-way street. As a matter of fact, the stuff I've seen from Iraqis has been much much worse! But the disdain and racism towards "Ajam" they show is not represented in this thread.

LOL @ Iran being the one who was counter-attacking before the red card. We had game in control and were looking to add more, son. Iraq were looking scared and were only emboldened after the unfair red card, ref was hounded on by Younis.

If Iraq did cheat, they should be kicked out. That's it.

Also why don't you talk about the countless times that Iraq has cheated at the Youth level ...

Good PR guy for putting a nice face on an evil entity (the Iraqi FA)

[jose]

Peace Everyone,

I have immense respect for TM's performance in the game. Credit to Iran for an amazing performance while playing a man down and constantly clawing back - the headers were an incredible display of aerial superiority.

I am also proud of the Iraqi team for playing an open game throughout - even before the red card Iraq had been creating chances up until the quick counter that led to Iran's opening goal.

The match aside, I'd like to make some remarks regarding prevailing narrative on these boards:

• Please quit the "Arabs" rhetoric: This Iraqi team does not represent "the Arabs" it represents Iraq alone and literally includes Kurds and an Assyrian in the squad.
• Please drop AFC conspiracy nonsense: Iraq has zero "pull" with that organization.
• Please stop channeling anger with ref towards Iraq: If IFF can prove Alaa Abdul Zahra was ineligible for this Asian Cup match then so be it, but there is no reason for vile remarks towards Iraqis across all social media platforms.

It's seriously a football game at the end of the day but people are trying to open up wounds and incite violence by joking about the difficulty of life in Iraq compared to Iran. This is going so much beyond sport and has become a platform for racism.

Iraq & Iran as allies have never been closer than they are today. Iraq is facing an existential threat and Iran is playing a huge role in helping destroy ISIS. It's a shame current goodwill is being tarnished by a football game.

I've been a longtime member of PFDC and know from experience that tensions always flare for a bit but reason always prevails in the end. Whatever the outcome, I hope the hate subsides soon. Peace.

Very well said. Some of the folks here have been so emotionally involved with this for past few week that are not putting the game in a correct perspective

[Kavian]

Peace Everyone,

I have immense respect for TM's performance in the game. Credit to Iran for an amazing performance while playing a man down and constantly clawing back - the headers were an incredible display of aerial superiority.

I am also proud of the Iraqi team for playing an open game throughout - even before the red card Iraq had been creating chances up until the quick counter that led to Iran's opening goal.

The match aside, I'd like to make some remarks regarding prevailing narrative on these boards:

• Please quit the "Arabs" rhetoric: This Iraqi team does not represent "the Arabs" it represents Iraq alone and literally includes Kurds and an Assyrian in the squad.
• Please drop AFC conspiracy nonsense: Iraq has zero "pull" with that organization.
• Please stop channeling anger with ref towards Iraq: If IFF can prove Alaa Abdul Zahra was ineligible for this Asian Cup match then so be it, but there is no reason for vile remarks towards Iraqis across all social media platforms.

It's seriously a football game at the end of the day but people are trying to open up wounds and incite violence by joking about the difficulty of life in Iraq compared to Iran. This is going so much beyond sport and has become a platform for racism.

Iraq & Iran as allies have never been closer than they are today. Iraq is facing an existential threat and Iran is playing a huge role in helping destroy ISIS. It's a shame current goodwill is being tarnished by a football game.

I've been a longtime member of PFDC and know from experience that tensions always flare for a bit but reason always prevails in the end. Whatever the outcome, I hope the hate subsides soon. Peace.

This man has some valid points.

1- Peace Everyone .. Amin
2- The red card was ref's mistake and not Iraqi team's fault
3- This is just a football game and we should not go beyond sport

[Yazdani]

Sumerian, well written. Emotions are just flaring right now. Whatever diving Iraq did Iran did the same amount if not more. If someone wants to argue that they just need to watch the game again and count dives.

Aside from the doping aspect, Iran got screwed by the ref but that had nothing to do with Iraq. If the A(rab)FC doesn't like Iran, they dislike Iraq almost as much.

[KeonKish]

Re: An Iraqi Perspective

Sumerian, well written. Emotions are just flaring right now. Whatever diving Iraq did Iran did the same amount if not more. If someone wants to argue that they just need to watch the game again and count dives.

Aside from the doping aspect, Iran got screwed by the ref but that had nothing to do with Iraq. If the A(rab)FC doesn't like Iran, they dislike Iraq almost as much.

Your comment shows you did not watch the game. Comparing our capitan to younes Mahmoud is like comparing Lionel Messi to Suarez. One is class and one is a immature cheater, who has no place playing football. I urge you to watch their behavior from the first minute where Mahmoud grabbed our players by the shirt and neck and repeatedly did so while falling on the floor and grabbing his face when even his foul failed to get the ball. He did this more than 10 times and I'm amazed that scum wasn't ejected. Including their keeper, and the Iraqi who hurt haghighi. Williams of Course has no control over these Hollywood drama Queens.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

[teammelli91]

Beautifully said brother

[OFFSIDE_1]

let's see how peaceful and loving this guy is if they are sent back home

[Keano]

An Iraqi Perspective

Your genuine approach and great post is so dearly appreciated dear Sumerian. I too am tired of racial slur and unethical remarks by both sides. Racism is absurd and should be unacceptable by all nations and in all levels, and especially in sports for its purpose is to bring nations and races together and united, incidents like these beat the purpose and works the opposite.

Iraq unlike many other Arab countries have often been supported and favored by most Iranians as we culturally have quite a lot in common.

As for this issue may justice be served, whether it's to Iran's favor which I hope it will, or if it's for Iraq then so be it, life goes on...

Down with racism and prejudice!

[Tehranto]

Like a bunch of suckers you guys actually believe this guy? Have you seen what Iraqis are writing on Social Media about Iranians? FAR worse than Iranians writing about Iraqis or Arabs here ...

Want to control an Iranian? Control their emotions. For us, Iraq is the new Bahrain.

[Z Joon]

Peace Everyone,

I have immense respect for TM's performance in the game. Credit to Iran for an amazing performance while playing a man down and constantly clawing back - the headers were an incredible display of aerial superiority.

I am also proud of the Iraqi team for playing an open game throughout - even before the red card Iraq had been creating chances up until the quick counter that led to Iran's opening goal.

The match aside, I'd like to make some remarks regarding prevailing narrative on these boards:

• Please quit the "Arabs" rhetoric: This Iraqi team does not represent "the Arabs" it represents Iraq alone and literally includes Kurds and an Assyrian in the squad.
• Please drop AFC conspiracy nonsense: Iraq has zero "pull" with that organization.
• Please stop channeling anger with ref towards Iraq: If IFF can prove Alaa Abdul Zahra was ineligible for this Asian Cup match then so be it, but there is no reason for vile remarks towards Iraqis across all social media platforms.

It's seriously a football game at the end of the day but people are trying to open up wounds and incite violence by joking about the difficulty of life in Iraq compared to Iran. This is going so much beyond sport and has become a platform for racism.

Iraq & Iran as allies have never been closer than they are today. Iraq is facing an existential threat and Iran is playing a huge role in helping destroy ISIS. It's a shame current goodwill is being tarnished by a football game.

I've been a longtime member of PFDC and know from experience that tensions always flare for a bit but reason always prevails in the end. Whatever the outcome, I hope the hate subsides soon. Peace.

You guys are much worse. 0 shame, how could anyone celebrate such victory. I won't even post the racist comments. I lost all the respect I had for Iraqis and I can't see any difference between persian gulf country people and you guys. Take a look at your own people before. But you will hear from us again, hopefully in WCQ.

[Afat11]

LOL, they will lose 6-0 to Korea then go back and face ISIS. At least they got an extra 2 days to feel like they're worth more than the rocks and dirt in their country.

[Iranian-Patriot]

Guys just let it go out of goodwill. Iraq is an extremely poor country and this is pretty much all they have got to make it worth living for them. We have got many things going for us, both in sports, which we are amongst top contenders in almost all categories, and in our lives which we are enjoying high standards of living.
All that matters now is that we know they cheated by using players on steroids, as well as the one sided refereeing and it took virtually 12 little scums against 10 real men of Iran for them to be able to TIE us and win by pure luck in penalty kicks. But they don't have to know that, let them have this out of goodwill.

[Team Melli Fan]

Hope this doesn't tarnish our relationship in this healthy rivalry. Peace and love.

[Armani]

• Please quit the "Arabs" rhetoric: This Iraqi team does not represent "the Arabs" it represents Iraq alone and literally includes Kurds and an Assyrian in the squad.
• Please drop AFC conspiracy nonsense: Iraq has zero "pull" with that organization.
• Please stop channeling anger with ref towards Iraq: If IFF can prove Alaa Abdul Zahra was ineligible for this Asian Cup match then so be it, but there is no reason for vile remarks towards Iraqis across all social media platforms.

First of all, I think it's not the right time to come here and tell us what to do. I think there is a bigger job for you to do among your own people/fans.

On the two bolded parts. You may have zero pull, but your Arab brothers in the AFC have to urge to unite whenever any of the Arab countries play against us. So like our coach said, please explain to us the disputable nomination of this referee for this particular match? Make us understand.

Second, how come in Arabic media your team is always referred to as Arabic first? Maybe you see your team as multi ethnic, again your brothers see you as Arabs. They like to emphasize on that part whenever you play us. I don't see any country referring to us as the Persian national team of Iran. Obviously there is a sense of brotherhood, especially when you play against Iran.