RELEASE NUMBER: 040830-01
DATE POSTED: AUGUST 30, 2004
Soccer match promotes teamwork for U.S., Iraqi troops
By Spc. Jessika Ross
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (Digital Video Imagery Distribution System, Aug. 30, 2004) —
Celebratory rifle fire could be heard throughout the city of Mosul as the
Iraqi soccer team kicked the winning goal in a game against Costa Rica Aug.
15 during the Olympic Games. With the Iraqi team moving into the men's soccer
quarterfinals, the sport is more popular than ever in the local Iraqi communities.
That same day, on a dusty, rock-riddled soccer field at the Multinational
Forces base here, Iraqi National Guard soldiers played their first soccer
game against a team of Task Force Olympia Soldiers. Although there is no gold
medal in the future, each team played with the grit and determination of
the Olympic athletes.
Communication was no problem during the game, because all the players knew
the rules of the popular sport. Even though the two teams couldn’t verbally
communicate with one another, the enthusiasm was shared with pats on the back,
high-fives and thumbs-up. According to the TFO players, the game strengthened
the bond between the ING and the Multinational Forces.
“It shows that different countries with different customs can get together
and play a universal game. The constant interaction with the ING displays
that we are willing to work together and have fun together at the same time,”
said Capt. Joe Kim, a Special Forces liaison officer with TFO from San Francisco,
Calif.
Running across the field in pursuit of the white and black ball provides
a much-needed form of stress relief in a fun environment, the Soldiers said.
“We had a good time overall and plan on having games every Sunday. It’s
a great stress relief for all of us and we are establishing friendships on
a different level,” said Sgt. Sandi Austin, an Army Reservist from Monterey,
Calif., who deployed to Iraq with the Mountain View, Calif.-based 445th Civil
Affairs Battalion.
The game ended in a 3-3 tie, but both teams were able to walk away with
a feeling of accomplishment and the satisfaction of knowing that they have
some new friends in Iraq.