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Couldn't see this anywhere else here, so....
Sorry if I scared any British members here with the title. ^^;
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.
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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