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Triumphant Iraqis Celebrate Soccer Win

After Asian Cup victory, revelry and gunfire erupt in Baghdad

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2007 3:16 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Iraqis celebrated their national soccer team's triumph in the Asian Cup today in an emotional bout of revelry marked by joyful gunfire in the streets of Baghdad. "We achieved the dream. Allahu Akbar!" a crying fan told Iraqiya state television after Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 1 to 0 in Jakarta.

Security remained tight after suicide bombers at Wednesday's victory celebration killed more than 50 Iraqis; police imposed a vehicle curfew at 4 PM in Baghdad to stay in effect until 6 AM tomorrow. Iraqi security forces arrested two men in a car filled with explosives which they say was preparing to attack soccer fans.

Iraqi people wave their flags during celebrations after the Iraq soccer team won the Asian Cup, in streets of the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 29, 2007. Iraqi national soccer team defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup soccer...
Iraqi people wave their flags during celebrations after the Iraq soccer team won the Asian Cup, in streets of the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
A man with painted Iraqi flag on his face smiles during celebrations for The Iraq soccer team victory in the Asian Cup, in streets of the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, July 29, 2007. Iraqi national soccer team defeated Saudi Arabia...
A man with painted Iraqi flag on his face smiles during celebrations for The Iraq soccer team victory in the Asian Cup, in streets of the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of...   (Associated Press)
Iraqi supporters wave Iraqi, Swedish, center, and Kurdish, left, flags as they celebrate the victory of their national football team against Saudi Arabia in the final of the Asian Football Cup, in central Stockholm, Sweden, July 29, 2007. Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup soccer final played...
Iraqi supporters wave Iraqi, Swedish, center, and Kurdish, left, flags as they celebrate the victory of their national football team against Saudi Arabia in the final of the Asian Football Cup, in central...   (Associated Press)
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Iraqi soccer coach's thoughts on the victory
Reuters

Coverage of the game
Bloomberg

 
Iraq • Saudi Arabia • soccer • suicide bombing • Asian Cup • curfew

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