After winning its first game in the 2009 Confederation Cup against New Zealand, Spain faced the Iraqi National Football [Soccer] Team. It was widely expected that the Spanish team would defeat Iraq in the same way New Zealand was defeated. In fact Bora Multinovic who is the coach of the Iraqi National Team predicted a Spanish win.

According to FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking posted for June 2009, Spain was in first place with 1761 points compared to Iraq. Iraq was in 77th place with 450 points. While Spain defeated Iraq, the Iraqi team showed some resistance.

It appeared that Iraq was trying to make up for lost time because of the time that followed the US Invasion and Occupation of their country.

It should be remembered that the Iraqis are proud of the fact that they defied all of the odds in order to win fourth place in the Olympic Football Tournament Final in 2004 as well as the Championship of the Asian Nations Cup in 2007.

Iraq started the game trying to dominate the game but Abbas received the first booking of the game in 29 minutes for anti sports behavior.

Spain underestimated the Iraqis in the same vein that they exhibited an excess confidence in their abilities. The result was a poor showing in the first half of the game with Alonso receiving a booking within 38 minutes.

The first half ended without ceremony and with both teams scoreless. The second half was almost a continuation of the agony of the first half. It was then that within 55 minutes of the game, David Villa was able to kick the ball via Joan Capdevilla’s cross past the goal keeper Mohammed Kassid.

After the goal, Spain attempted to maintain its lead while the Iraqis started to make mistakes such as lacking the electricity while having posession of the ball. In spite of the attempts by Iraq to equalize, Spain won.

While Spain is in the Semi Finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, they should never underestimate an opponent. When a team underestimates its opponents, they set themselves up for surprises that are unexpected.