Iraq-Kuwait Soccer Face Off -- 15 Years Later

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004997 SIPDIS SIPDIS R, NEA/PPD (AFERNANDEZ, CWHITTLESEY),ECA (NBISHOP, KWAINSCOTT),NEA/ARP (DBERNS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL ZP IZ KU SUBJECT: Iraq-Kuwait Soccer Face Off -- 15 Years Later ¶1. Kuwait and Iraq faced off on the soccer field for the first time since before the first Gulf War. The match held on November 26, 2005 between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti national teams was part of the elimination round for the Asia Cup finals. The result of the game, played in Kuwait, was a huge disappointment to Kuwaiti fans and commentators. All five major Kuwaiti Arabic language newspapers lamented the poor performances of both teams which ultimately resulted in the 0-0 draw. Headlines read: "The game was not up to the hoped or expected levels; 0-0 draw for blue ("blue" refers to the Kuwaiti team's blue uniforms) with Iraq on playing and scoring"; "The elders tie and the hope is in the youth"; "Blue vs. Iraq. two zeros"; "A faded Iraqi experience for the blue." ¶2. While this match was dubbed historic as the first game between the Gulf neighbors in 15 years, the last time the teams met on February 28, 1990, that game also ended in a tie. The score was 1-1, as part of the tenth Gulf Cup. The two teams have not competed since the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1991. Sports commentators said that despite Kuwait's possession of the ball for most of the game, they presented no real danger to the goal of their Iraqi counterparts. Kuwaiti sports reporters complained that contestants did not take the game seriously, nor did they exert their best efforts. Adding insult to injury, the Kuwaiti junior team was beaten by the Iraqi junior team 1-0 on November 28, 2005. ¶3. One editorial cartoon lampooned the loss for the juniors, showing a father with a newborn son dismissing modern "weak" names such as Hani in favor of old-fashioned "strong" names such as Jabar (mighty),Raad (thunder),or Barq (lighting) with the implied hope that such names will ensure future Kuwaiti victories on the soccer field. LEBARON