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For the Lions of Mesopotamia, as the Iraqi team is called, Mehdi Kerki fills that role.

Worried that the Saudis wouldn’t receive the warm welcome that the government wanted, the domestic intelligence service insisted on meeting Mr. Kerki the night before the game to review his planned cheers.

“It’s our duty to make them feel welcome,” Mr. Kerki explained.

A few days later further reports were received of Russian troops being mobilized, and of the intention of Russia to establish cantonments on the ferries of Kilif and Kerki on the Oxus.