"During the two hours of game time, I live in another world. I forget about the car bombs and feel human again, and what is more beautiful is that the team includes all sects -- they are all Iraqis to us and they make me feel that we are united again."

-- Nawfal Hameed, an electric appliance shop owner in Baghdad, where the streets have been empty as Iraqis watch their national team on television in action at the Asian Nations Cup. (New York Times)