Right On The Right

Cuba's Under-23 national soccer team has lost a few members recently, showing that Cuba's sports teams still face a unique problem, defections. Back in 1996, two Cuban boxers defected to the United States. The newest case as I mentioned, is with Cuba's soccer team. The Miami Herald reports:

Five members of the Cuban Under-23 national soccer team defected to the United States after an Olympic qualifier earlier this week, and two more players have reportedly left the team.

Cuba tied the U.S., 1-1, on Tuesday in its first Olympic qualifier and five of the players left the team afterward.

Although the players have not officially been identified, Jose Manuel Miranda, Erlys Garcia Baro, Yenier Bermudez, Yordany Alvarez and Loanni Prieto were not at practice Wednesday.

ESPN also reported that Yendry Diaz and Eder Roldan had left the team.

ESPN's article includes some more information, including some information about our "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy. Essentially, because they are Cuban nationals in the United States, they can pursue asylum and eventually citizenship. If the men do not return to the Cuban team, they may be forced to forfeit one or more of their upcoming matches. Communism punishes productivity and skill, so it's no surprise that these men wanted out.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraq's national soccer team beat three-time champion Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup finals in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday, as Iraq took safety precautions to prepare for a historic victory.

The Iraqi national soccer team defeated the Saudis, 1-0. A lot of interesting matches could've played out, including an Iraq-Iran matchup, but the Iranians didn't make it that far. If I understand the situation correctly, this has earned Iraq a spot in the Confederations Cup, along with Italy, the USA, South Africa, and Brazil (so far). I found a New York Times piece on the Iraqi team pretty inspiring:

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 28 — In the Asian Cup final against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Iraq is the underdog in every way imaginable.

Saudi Arabia, which has appeared in five of the last six finals, is a three-time champion. Iraq has never been to the finals and last played in the semifinals 31 years ago.

But that is only the beginning of the uphill fight for Iraq’s young, beleaguered players.

When the Iraqi national soccer team left Malaysia for the finals here, they were delayed three hours in the Kuala Lumpur airport before collapsing into their cramped, economy-class seats.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s team strolled onto its stylish, private jet, accompanied by media representatives, interpreters, doctors and coaches, and was whisked here.

The article goes on to describe some problems with food, travel, and accomodations that the Iraqi team had to go through. They fought the hardest to get to where they did in this tournament, and they won because of it. Hopefully this can be an event that unites more Iraqis, and helps them turn against the terrorists now plaguing their country. As one Indonesian fan made clear through a sign, "War can not kill football [soccer]"