Qatar shatter Iraqi football hopes as Asian Games end

时间：2006-12-18 00:36:11

（单词翻译:单击）


A young Iraqi supporter is held up wrapped in the country's flag as he waits for the start of the men's football final between Iraq and Qatar at Al-Sadd Sports Club during the 15th Asian Games in Doha.
 
Dec. 16 - Qatar shattered Iraqi hopes by beating them 1-0 in the football final as 14 days of Asian Games competition ended with China the overwhelming winner.

 

China surpassed its 150 gold medal haul from the last Games in Busan four years ago, racking up 165 here, with their final one coming in the basketball where they overpowered Qatar 59-44.

 

South Korea were second with 58 gold, far down on their 96 from Busan. But Japan improved, winning 50 compared to 44 last time as Asia's three traditional sporting giants proved again to be far ahead of the competition.

 

Kazakhstan, Thailand, Iran, Uzbekistan, India, Taiwan and Qatar rounded out the top 10.

 

"During the last 14 days we have celebrated1 one of the best Games ever in the Asian continent," said Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) director general Husain Al Musallam.

 

"The Asian Games has become the largest multi-sports event, second only to the Olympics, and the standard is growing higher and higher. Asia is emerging as a sporting powerhouse."

 

The Games couldn't have asked for a more poignant2 end than a football final between the hosts and Iraq, which pulled together nearly 70 athletes to compete here despite the murderous sectarian violence in the country.

 

Their run to the final brought rare joy amid the bloodshed, with each new victory sparking volleys of gunfire echoing around the country in celebration rather than hatred3.

 

But Iraq, whose last soccer gold came in 1982, could not lift themselves one last time after a gruelling slog that involved having to pre-qualify.

 

A scrappy 63rd minute goal by Bilal Mohammed Rajeb settled the match, allowing Qatar to become only the second Arab country to lift the title after Iraq.

 

It came in bizarre fashion as Majdi Abdulla's Sidiq's corner was flicked4 on at the near post by Wesam Abdulmajid and tamely palmed out by Iraqi goalkeeper Mohammed Khadum.

 

The ball struck Majed on the side of his head, as he was looking to his right at the time, and went into the net.

 

Iran won the bronze medal.

 

The Games, which have been the biggest ever staged, officially end at a closing ceremony later Friday themed on the famous Middle eastern tale Arabian Nights.

 

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1 celebrated iwLzpz     
adj.有名的，声誉卓著的
参考例句：
  • He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
  • The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
2 poignant FB1yu     
adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的
参考例句：
  • His lyrics are as acerbic and poignant as they ever have been.他的歌词一如既往的犀利辛辣。
  • It is especially poignant that he died on the day before his wedding.他在婚礼前一天去世了，这尤其令人悲恸。
3 hatred T5Gyg     
n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨
参考例句：
  • He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
  • The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。
4 flicked 7c535fef6da8b8c191b1d1548e9e790a     
（尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等）
参考例句：
  • She flicked the dust off her collar. 她轻轻弹掉了衣领上的灰尘。
  • I idly picked up a magazine and flicked through it. 我漫不经心地拿起一本杂志翻看着。

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