Football is a game that could unite a nation.
On this 8th day of June, football united this nation.
We the Iranians of
the world have been looking for a reason, an excuse to join each other in harmony
and celebrate. Celebrate for the sake of our homeland regardless of our religions,
sex, political affiliations and ideologies. On this 8th day of June, we had
such opportunity and tens of millions of us, in all corners
of the world, celebrated
in style and in our own ways.
We needed this victory as a nation to
find ourselves again. We needed it more than we needed
to advance to
the world cup. And let’s be honest about it. We needed
to defeat Bahrain and defeating Bahrain is so sweet.
We
needed this victory to feel good as one, feel proud as
one and feel united as one.
Yes, football is a game that
could destroy hopes yet it also could build the most
beautiful and amazing house
of hope and house of lights.
Our house of hope is illuminated
with sparkles of joy, pride and nationalism due to relentless
spirits of
two dozen men who carried the torch of a nation; the
torch of my nation.
In the process of regaining our sense of pride, we
had to step on pride of others, one Bahrain national
team,
like we were stepped on 4 years ago. And stepping
we did. And it felt good. And it feels good.
Nine
months ago, when Iran was to play Jordan in Jordan,
qualifying for the World Cup seemed a very
tall order.
After all, back then, Iran had to defeat
Jordan and Qatar on the road in order to advance to the next phase of the
World Cup. Eight games, seven victories and a tie
later, Iran has advanced to the
world cup. In that span, Iran defeated Jordan, Qatar, North Korea (twice),
Japan, Laos and the one most satisfactory, Bahrain. Most amazingly, Iran
allowed only three goals in these games while scored
eighteen goals.
The team of destiny managed to reach
a major milestone of her destiny.
Thank you Mirzapour,
Mohammadi and Rahmati. Thank you Nosrati, Rezai, Kaabi,
Golmohammadi, Kameli Mofrad, Baadavi
and Zare. Thank you Nekunam, Karimi, Zandi, Alavi,
Nikbahkt, Azizi, Moabali
and Kazemian.
Thank you Hashemian, Daei, Khatibi and Enayati.
Thank you Branko Ivankovich and the coaching staff.
And if one player has to be thanked in particular, as the symbol
of nationalism on the green fields,
that would be Mr. Mehdi Mahdavikia who played with the passion resembling
the great
“Pahlevans” and wrestlers of our past.
Thank you Mahdavikia for showing on the field with your
game and your emotions what pride
is and
what pride
should be.
On this 8th day of June of 2005, the bells of joy rang for Iran
and Iranians throughout the world and the bells of sorrow
rang in the ears of a team that had to be placed on her place,
where it belonged, below our team, far, far, far below our team.
From
a land far far away but with a heart as close as next door
Iran
vs. Bahrain: This Time the Bells Rang For Us!