The 2022 World Cup qualifiers produced high drama this past week.
While the majority of the international community was waiting in vain for the return of competitions such as the Premier League and Champions League, a few Middle Eastern national teams reminded football fans worldwide how a relatively low level of football can move millions.
IRAQ - IRAN
Clasico Asia took place in Amman, Jordan, due to the growing protests in Iraq in the past month. Although the game wasn’t played in Basra, Iraq, in front of 65 thousand passionate fans, one of the greatest rivalries in international football didn’t disappoint and created a vast game. Iraq went up first on the scoresheet thanks to Mohanad Ali, who celebrated with a mask on his face, a reference to the use of gas by protesters in the recent demonstrations in Iraq. His teammate Safa Hadii did the same.
Iran equalised, and the game was looking like a classic stubborn draw, but then came the 91st minute, and this header by Alaa Abbas. Iraq won 2-1.
One can question the atmosphere when more than half of the stadium was empty, but seeing the reaction in Tahrir square, Baghdad, to this Abbas goal, makes you understand what impact football has on people, on nations.
LEBANON - SOUTH KOREA
Unlike Iraq, who needed to go abroad to ‘host’ their game, Lebanon was preparing to host South Korea in the country’s most famous ground - Camille Chamoun Stadium.
Although tickets were already sold to the match, in the price of 5 Lebanese Lira each, 12 hours before kick-off, the Lebanese Army announced that the game would be played behind closed doors. In the current political and social climate in Lebanon, the Army saw this event as a potential protest, probably the biggest ever in the Cedars’ land to be recorded in a football stadium.
Despite the empty stands, the Lebanese players were driven by their people’s support and encouragement from the cities main squares, and managed to hold South Korea and Heung Min Son for a goalless draw - 0:0.
UZBEKISTAN - SAUDI ARABIA
The stress and pressure in the Saudi national team coach are among the highest in the world. After two draws with Yemen and Palestine, and a timid victory against Singapore, Herve Renard has started to feel it.
Uzbekistan, who sacked Hector Cuper lately, looked to bite the Saudis in these tensed times. They weren’t far away. They led twice 1-0 and 2-1. Still, eventually, in the last minutes of the match, Salem Al-Dawsri has risen to the occasion and produced this buzzing contribution to twist things around and complete a massive comeback for the Green Falcons.
Just watch the way Sameer Al-Maerfi, the Saudi commentator, exploded in that minute.
And there were more stories that day.
Yemen who has beaten Palestine; Jordan who lost to Australia in Asia’s most underrated rivalry; Kuwait who came back to the front row with a 9-0 victory against Taiwan; the loss of the UAE to Vietnam and Hong Kong’s heroic draw with Bahrain. If you are not part of it, you’ll never understand.
The Asian World Cup Qualifiers are among the fascinating competitions in the world. A drama, politics, tears and always a bigger picture to look upon and learn.