Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup final on Sunday, providing a rare moment of celebration in the war-torn homeland.
Iraqi captain Younis Mahmoud scored the winner in the 72nd minute when he climbed above the defense at the far post and headed home a corner from Hawar Mulla Mohammed.
The Saudis had been bidding to become the first country to win the Asian Cup four times but were outplayed by the Iraqi team. It was a triumph for Iraq's Brazilian coach, Jorvan Vieira, 54, who only signed a two-month contract with the Iraqi Football Federation and said Saturday he planned to quit the job after accomplishing what he had set out to achieve.
