BBC Sports Article: Morale-boosting final awaits Iraq

Iraq's players know the weight of expectation they carry into Sunday's Asian Cup final in Jakarta.

Four-times Asian champions Saudi Arabia stand between Iraq and a win that would lift the country's war-weary people.

Striker Younis Mahmoud said: "We are shouldering our responsibility to bring hope to the Iraqi people.

"We know that by winning we can make the Iraqi people happy. Reaching the final is not enough, our ambition is to win the title."

Iraq's passage to its first Asian Cup final has triggered wild celebrations back home, with many people seeing the team as a symbol of national unity.

However, the team's success has come against a background of violence, with bombers killing at least 50 people in Baghdad as crowds celebrated the semi-final win over South Korea.

Iraq's Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira conceded the bombings had affected the squad but said: "Life must go on.
We have to play on Sunday to be the champions.
My boys deserve to be in the final, they have worked very hard.
When I signed my contract I promised to give more happiness and put more smiles on the faces of the Iraqi people. I think I have accomplished that."

Saudi Arabia's Brazilian coach Helio Cesar dos Anjos accepts the sympathy will be with Iraq.
He said: "Iraq will be very motivated and they have a lot of quality.
"There is no favourite in this match, we have an opportunity but so does Iraq."