0330 No one can sleep. Everyone keeps replaying the last game in their mind, and guessing at to what is going to happen tomorrow. Heaps of cigarettes give a symbolic reminder to the mounting pressure placed on the shoulders of long awaiting fans.

0500 The last person awake decides to wake up the rest and let them know of what he has finally decided to be the formation. Realizing he is not the coach, he goes back to sleep.

0800 No one in this group has woken up this early for anything before, whether it be an exam or doctor’s appointment. However, the continuous trickle of adrenalin makes sleeping very difficult.

0900 A fight breaks out to as who will wear what jersey during the goal watching ceremony which has traditionally preceded all of Iraq’s matches. During this event, tapes and digital footage of past goals are religiously worshipped to bring luck to the team.

1100 Cigarettes run out. A game of Winning Eleven breaks out to determine who will go to the corner shop is to grab the smokes.

1200 Dancing and beating on the drums accompanied with theatrical renditions of the goals and passes of the Iraqi team accompany a relentless wave of telephone calls leading up to the hour that everyone has anticipated for.

1330 Kickoff.