LG Electronics, the official sponsor of the Iraqi football team, underlined its unstinting support to the 2007 Asian Cup winners by honouring the squad members for their brilliant performance in one of the most tense football finals.
The global and digital leader hosted a press conference and reception for members of the squad at the Royal Hotel in Amman, Jordan yesterday, Wednesday, August 1. Joining the LG officials in the celebrations were H.E. Sa’ad Al Haini, Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan, officials of the Iraqi Football Association and top-level government officials and VIPs.
Hundreds of cheering fans from across the region descended at the venue to join the festivities as LG Electronics honoured the Asian Cup champions.
Playing against all odds in their most critical match in the Asian Cup tournament in Jakarta on Sunday, an inspired Iraqi team scripted one of sport’s spectacular fairytale victories by outplaying the three-time champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 and creating a rare moment of celebration in their war-torn homeland.
Hovering on the edge of victory throughout the 90-minute final, Iraq seemed close to victory but the championship was sealed with a beautiful shot headed in by Captain Younes Mahmoud. An impressive and spirited all-round performance by the rest of the team saw them lifting their first-ever Asian Cup.
In commemoration of this victorious occasion, and as a token of LGE’s sincere pride for all what the entire Iraqi team had achieved, the firm is planning to launch a promotional campaign in Iraq through which it will be engraving the players and their new found victory in the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
Speaking at the event in Amman, Hussein Said, President of Iraqi Football Association said: “This is a matter of pride for Arabs worldwide and a dream come true for all Iraqis. We are grateful to our supporters, who have been encouraging us from the very beginning. It is an honour to be here with the people that have been our pillars of strength throughout our campaign to emerge as a strong sporting team in the Arab world.”
To commemorate the team’s efforts and hard work, LG Electronics presented each of the 31 team members with a 32-inch LCD TV and a 42-inch LCD TV each to Captain Mahmoud, Coach Angus Vierra, President of the Iraqi Football Association, Hussein Said, and Najih Al-Hmoud, Vice President of the Iraqi Football Association.
Mr. Kevin Cha, General Manager, LG Electronics, Iraq, said that the Iraqi team carried with them the hopes and aspirations of the entire Arab world. “The strength of this team is evident not only in their physical endurance but through the team spirit that they express every time they play. It is a wonderful moment in history, the first Asian Cup that Iraq has won, and LG Electronics is immensely proud to be a keen supporter of this talented squad,” he added.
In April 2004, LG signed a two-year contract to sponsor the Iraqi football team as part of its commitment to play a more active role in the country’s community development. Soon after, the team reached the semi-finals of the Athens Olympics in 2004. In May 2006, LG renewed its contract with the team for another two years.
This was followed by the team’s spectacular performance in the Asian Cup held in Doha, Qatar, where they emerged as the runners-up.
Hussein Said added: “This young squad has overcome all odds to emerge as the new champions of Asia and the strong support of our partners has been a key element in our success. LG was one of the first companies to believe in our abilities and we are pleased to be able to stand up to their expectations.”
