Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
09 May 2008
Iraq diggers play football 'friendly'
Diggers in Southern Iraq have played a ‘friendly’ international football match against Iraqi soldiers, cementing the strong training ties between the two armies.
The Aussies took a brief break from their training and security mission to take part in the match.
The match, which ended in a two all draw, was played at the Iraqi Army’s Camp Ur training base, near Tallil, on a dirt pitch in temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius
Both teams praised each others skills and efforts.
The match was the first of two legs between the teams. The diggers were also motivated by the World Cup qualifying match between the Socceroos and Iraq which is scheduled for Brisbane on June 1st.
Football Australia donated a full set of national uniforms for the Aussie players and referee.
| 20080503adf8246638_001 Soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 in Australian 'Socceroos' colours before a game against the Iraqi Army. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_029 Captains before the game, (L-R) Officer Cadet Abbas and Sergeant Corey Hill shake hands and exchange gifts. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_035 Players from both teams go hard at the ball during the first half. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_209 Iraqi soldiers, supported by their military band, sing and dance on the side lines during the game. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_236 (L) Corporal Stuart Wallace contests the ball. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_276 Australian Soldiers Lance Corporal (LCPL) Glen Nocente (L) and and LCPL David Wilson (R) watch Sergeant Mark Gribble contest the ball during the Australia - Iraq match. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_337 Signaler Mathew Clarke pushing himself to the limit during the game. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_385 Corporal Robert Keenan leaps high to take possession of the ball. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_409 Sergeant Mark Gribble goes shoulder to shoulder with an Iraqi soldier during the game. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_454 Soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 play a soccer match against the Iraqi Army in hot and dusty conditions at Camp UR. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_470 Corporal Craig Gillbank goes for the ball during a friendly soccer match against the Iraqi Army at Camp UR. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_490 Soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 play a soccer match against Iraq in hot and dusty conditions at Camp UR. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_507 Iraqi soldiers jump for the ball during a soccer match against the soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 at Camp UR. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_513 Lieutenant Aaron Cimabaljevic takes on his opponent during a friendly soccer match against the Iraqi Army at Camp UR. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_528 Craftsman Lucas Baker goes for the ball during the match against Iraq. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_536 An Iraqi soldier takes a corner kick during the game against Australian soldiers at Camp Ur. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_552 Iraqi and Australian soldiers shake hands after the two-all draw. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_567 Commanders from the Iraqi Army’s Camp Ur training base, near Tallil, congratulate the Australian soldiers on a hard and fast soccer match. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8246638_578 Soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 and Iraqi soldiers come together for a group photo. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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