[Vision2020] S. Iraq - Brits and Local Iraqis Play Soccer
John Harrell
johnbharrell@yahoo.com
Thu, 3 Apr 2003 19:34:19 -0800 (PST)
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British marines under the kosh from local Iraqi soccer team
http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/dj/Qiraq-war-britain.RrMb_DA3.html
AFP, April 3, 2003
[for pictures, go here and scroll down.. http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=soccer&c=news_photos ]
SOUTHERN IRAQ, April 3 (AFP) - Eleven British Royal Marines have come under the kosh on the dusty streets of Umm Khayyal, being handed a 7-3 thrashing
by the local football team, resplendent in full strip, boots and squad numbers.
A thousand spectators came from all ends of the town, throngs of screaming men and children marking out the boundaries of the pitch.
In the face of such passion, Leading Airman Dave Husbands said the marines were beaten from the start.
"We turned up to play and there was no-one around, just a few kids messing about," he said.
"Then suddenly, out of nowhere, came this kitted-up football team together with a referee and two linesmen.
"The boys thought they must be the Iraqi international side or something. In truth, they thrashed us."
In a dusty old market square, 11 of 42 Commando's K Company finest struggled in stifling conditions under blue skies.
There were no jumpers for goalposts here -- even the referee had a whistle and cards in his pocket, two linesmen proudly carried flags.
Hundreds of children chanted, some sporting the red shirts of Manchester United or Arsenal, carrying playing card pictures of David Beckham and David Seaman.
Behind them lay old defensive military positions, trenches used two weeks ago by the Iraqi army. On Wednesday they were dug outs, sand pits for kids to play in.
On the pitch the marines used tactics practised not so much on the fields of Eton as the parks of Wimbledon - a game of hussle, bustle and long ball.
The Umm Khayyal XI made merry, skipping around the robust tackles and passing the ball around with glee.
Water and oranges at half time could not save the marines, their hair coloured grey with layers of dust, their faces and arms black with dirt.
Meanwhile, the throngs of men and children on the sidelines grew as news filtered through the town of the Iraqi triumph.
Locals came by foot, on bicycles and pedal-carts.
Football is their passion and, needless to say, "Mister Beckham", Manchester United's star midfielder, is their man.
"Beckham is best, Beckham is best!" shouted Mohammad, a 21-year-old spectator.
"You need him," replied his friend, pointing to the pitch. "You lose bad."
Meanwhile, the commander of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Buster Howes, attempted to be magnanimous in defeat.
"We want a rematch," he said with a smile.
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Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
<P> </P>
<P>British marines under the kosh from local Iraqi soccer team</P>
<P><A href="http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/dj/Qiraq-war-britain.RrMb_DA3.html">http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/dj/Qiraq-war-britain.RrMb_DA3.html</A></P>
<P>AFP, April 3, 2003</P>
<P>[for pictures, go here and scroll down.. <A href="http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=soccer&c=news_photos">http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=soccer&c=news_photos</A> ]</P>
<P>SOUTHERN IRAQ, April 3 (AFP) - Eleven British Royal Marines have come under the kosh on the dusty streets of Umm Khayyal, being handed a 7-3 thrashing<BR>by the local football team, resplendent in full strip, boots and squad numbers. </P>
<P>A thousand spectators came from all ends of the town, throngs of screaming men and children marking out the boundaries of the pitch. </P>
<P>In the face of such passion, Leading Airman Dave Husbands said the marines were beaten from the start. </P>
<P>"We turned up to play and there was no-one around, just a few kids messing about," he said. </P>
<P>"Then suddenly, out of nowhere, came this kitted-up football team together with a referee and two linesmen. </P>
<P>"The boys thought they must be the Iraqi international side or something. In truth, they thrashed us." </P>
<P>In a dusty old market square, 11 of 42 Commando's K Company finest struggled in stifling conditions under blue skies. </P>
<P>There were no jumpers for goalposts here -- even the referee had a whistle and cards in his pocket, two linesmen proudly carried flags. </P>
<P>Hundreds of children chanted, some sporting the red shirts of Manchester United or Arsenal, carrying playing card pictures of David Beckham and David Seaman. </P>
<P>Behind them lay old defensive military positions, trenches used two weeks ago by the Iraqi army. On Wednesday they were dug outs, sand pits for kids to play in. </P>
<P>On the pitch the marines used tactics practised not so much on the fields of Eton as the parks of Wimbledon - a game of hussle, bustle and long ball. </P>
<P>The Umm Khayyal XI made merry, skipping around the robust tackles and passing the ball around with glee. </P>
<P>Water and oranges at half time could not save the marines, their hair coloured grey with layers of dust, their faces and arms black with dirt. </P>
<P>Meanwhile, the throngs of men and children on the sidelines grew as news filtered through the town of the Iraqi triumph. </P>
<P>Locals came by foot, on bicycles and pedal-carts. </P>
<P>Football is their passion and, needless to say, "Mister Beckham", Manchester United's star midfielder, is their man. </P>
<P>"Beckham is best, Beckham is best!" shouted Mohammad, a 21-year-old spectator. </P>
<P>"You need him," replied his friend, pointing to the pitch. "You lose bad." </P>
<P>Meanwhile, the commander of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Buster Howes, attempted to be magnanimous in defeat. </P>
<P>"We want a rematch," he said with a smile.</P><p><br><hr size=1>Do you Yahoo!?<br>
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/finance/mailsig/*http://tax.yahoo.com">Yahoo! Tax Center</a> - File online, calculators, forms, and more
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