Dubai ruler rewards Iraq's team for Asian Cup win
First Published: Jul 31, 2007
The ruler of Dubai has awarded 5.5 million dollars to Iraq's national football team, seen here celebrating 29 July 2007 in Jakarta, for its victory over Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup final.
The ruler of Dubai has awarded 5.5 million dollars to Iraq's national football team for its victory in the Asian Cup final, a football official said on Tuesday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum gave the money to the Iraqi team for their 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta on Sunday, the head of Dubai's Al Ahli soccer club said.
Members of the victorious Iraqi team were invited to a celebration organised by Sheikh Mohammed at Al Ahli's pitch.
Sheikh Mohammed, who is better known for his huge thoroughbred racehorse empire including the Godolphin Operation, said the victorious team showed "the ability of the Iraqi people...to deal with hardship and presented an example of how to give for the sake of the nation."
The wealthy Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai is one of seven that makes up the United Arab Emirates.
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