Perspective: Hoping the whistle never blows

Iraq's weary soccer team could be forgiven for hoping the fulltime whistle never blows when they play Saudi Arabia in Sunday's Asian Cup final.

Their fairytale ride into the final has captured the imagination of the sporting world and given Iraqis a rare sense of national pride, uniting a country ripped apart by sectarian violence.

Like the Ancient Greeks who used to stop their wars while the Olympics were on, there is at least hope the fighting and violence may be halted while the match is in progress.

For 90 minutes at least, there may be peace in Iraq.

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