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Archaic
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Washed up SMAC/X University Specialist
Nov 2001
time: 15:27
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Couldn't see this anywhere else here, so....
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...in_030403202551
quote:
British marines under the kosh from local Iraqi soccer team
Thu Apr 3, 3:25 PM ET
SOUTHERN IRAQ (AFP) - (Pool material) Eleven British Royal Marines have come under the kosh on the dusty streets of Umm Khayyal, being handed a 7-3 thrashing by the local football team, resplendent in full strip, boots and squad numbers.
A thousand spectators came from all ends of the town, throngs of screaming men and children marking out the boundaries of the pitch.
In the face of such passion, Leading Airman Dave Husbands said the marines were beaten from the start.
"We turned up to play and there was no-one around, just a few kids messing about," he said.
"Then suddenly, out of nowhere, came this kitted-up football team together with a referee and two linesmen.
"The boys thought they must be the Iraqi international side or something. In truth, they thrashed us."
In a dusty old market square, 11 of 42 Commando's K Company finest struggled in stifling conditions under blue skies.
There were no jumpers for goalposts here -- even the referee had a whistle and cards in his pocket, two linesmen proudly carried flags.
Hundreds of children chanted, some sporting the red shirts of Manchester United or Arsenal, carrying playing card pictures of David Beckham and David Seaman.
The Umm Khayyal XI made merry, skipping around the robust tackles and passing the ball around with glee.
Water and oranges at half time could not save the marines, their hair coloured grey with layers of dust, their faces and arms black with dirt.
Football is their passion and, needless to say, "Mister Beckham", Manchester United's star midfielder, is their man.
"Beckham is best, Beckham is best!" shouted Mohammad, a 21-year-old spectator.
"You need him," replied his friend, pointing to the pitch. "You lose bad."
Meanwhile, the commander of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Buster Howes, attempted to be magnanimous in defeat.
"We want a rematch," he said with a smile.
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Sorry if I scared any British members here with the title. ^^;
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Tingkai
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To find the Northwest Passage
Aug 2001
time: 13:27
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Good on the Brits. That's the way to win over the locals.
I read an article in the IHT that talked about how Brit soldiers were better at winning over the locals because of their expereince in N. Ireland and Kosovo. This football match seems to be a case in point.
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MRT144
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Seattle Washington
Oct 2002
time: 21:27
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shaolin soccer is much better
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Sikander
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Boulder, Colorado, United Snakes of America
Jan 2000
time: 22:27
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When I was in college there was a very good pick-up game at our University every afternoon. I went to Michigan State University which has a very good agriculture school which drew enormous numbers of foreign students, including a few who played for their national side. One of these guys was an Iraqi named Mohamed, and he played midfield as did I. We were on opposite sides, and early in the game an even ball shot between us. We surprised each other with our speed (this guy was very fast, while I am very quick). Neither one of us was going to give way, and we met at the center of the field with an incredible collision.
I was vaguely aware that some of my team were standing near me, but my concussion prevented me from reacting immediately. When I did I got a shock when I noticed that both goaltenders were milling about with the rest. If the keepers have come to the center of the field I reasoned, I must have been out for some time. Mohamed was still down as well, and I staggered to my feet in order to salvage some of my pride by beating him back into action. He got up soon afterward and we gave each other a respectful nod. I made the obligatory "bringing the mountain to Mohamed" joke with my friends, and we returned to the game. Mohamed and I took careful measure of one another after that, each realizing that the other was a crazy mofo who wouldn't give way on an even ball. Fortunately for our brains another truly even ball never came between us that afternoon, and we were both careful not to foul on the close ones, enough brain damage having already occurred to satisfy us for quite some time.
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04-04-2003 13:28
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