The Parliamentary Football Club, fielding a team of 11MPs were given an 11-0 decking by the Iraqi football squad as they began the first legs of their friendly tour of Britain.
Among the crowd - made up mainly of press - was 37-year-old Mohammed Hamoud, an Iraqi who has lived in London since 1996.
A life-long supporter, he has not seen his national side play live since he left Iraq 11 years ago.
"I am so excited they are in London," said Mr Hamoud, a chauffeur. "We have been spending time with them at their hotel, talking to them and taking them sightseeing. Some are our neighbours, they come from the same town as our families.
"In terms of their ability to play, their skills have improved a lot over the last year."
Iraqi delegation member Muid Salih, a player himself in the 60s and 70s, says the team are now "mentally free" after years of reported tyranny under the son of Saddam Hussein, Uday.
Hayder Ubaid agrees the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime last year has benefited their football, but he is less sure what it means for their country.
"We have felt free, from the government and Uday, and it's been good for our football," he said.
"But if we are talking about the political situation now in Iraq, it is very difficult. Before, there was just one enemy and we knew who he was. Now, there are many."
Many enemies, though there may be, the Iraqi football team is playing football without fear of mincing or torture. The most they risk now is the shameful embarrassment that comes from being beaten by a Division 2 side in the UK.
I laugh heartily at something else the article brings to light: Iraq now have an international rating that's better than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland!
Although in fairness. Palao probably has a better Fifa ranking than Northern Ireland hehe.
Later
John
Posted by John Swaine at May 20, 2004 10:42 PM