Iraq's 2-0 victory over Vietnam in its Asian Cup quarter-final on Saturday was more than just a game. "A glorious victory," said the President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani. "I hope to congratulate you on a victory in the final," Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said on state television. "We have a right to dream," the coach, Jorge Vieira told Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune in Bangkok, "but we have to keep our feet on the floor."
Japan's penalty win over Australia was also more than a game. Ivica Osim, the grumpy 66-year-old Bosnian who came to coach Japan after the World Cup, could not bear to watch the penalties. He went down to the dressing room, saying dramatically: "Penalties are not good for the heart, I would rather die in Sarajevo than here."
Japan's penalty win over Australia was also more than a game. Ivica Osim, the grumpy 66-year-old Bosnian who came to coach Japan after the World Cup, could not bear to watch the penalties. He went down to the dressing room, saying dramatically: "Penalties are not good for the heart, I would rather die in Sarajevo than here."