Iraqis unite in soccer victory

The Baltimore Sun

BAGHDAD -- Millions watched yesterday as the underdog Iraqi national soccer team won its first Asian Cup, beating three-time champions Saudi Arabia, 1-0, in overtime.

Fans took to the streets to celebrate across Iraq -- in Kurdish areas to the north, Shiite holy cities to the south and several neighborhoods in the capital.

Revelers painted their faces with the tricolor Iraqi flag, throwing candy or shooting fireworks in triumph. Iraqi soldiers waved from passing vehicles. Honking cars clogged the main route into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, home to the U.S. Embassy and U.S. military posts.

Sporadic gunfire, much of it deemed to be celebratory, could be heard hours after the game ended. At least two civilians were killed in clashes with Baghdad police and two more in gunfire after the game, police said.

Khadim Lafta Alwan, a government worker, was among those shooting in the southern city of Basra.

"It's a triumph and unity for Iraqis, a glorious day. Why not celebrate?" said Alwan, 37.

Leaders from different sects, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite Muslim; Vice President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; and members of the largest Sunni Arab bloc congratulated the team on their win yesterday, as did Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq.

In Baghdad, the victory by the team fans call "The Lions of the Two Rivers," after the Tigris and Euphrates, reminded Shiite Muslim laborer Muhammed Hussein of Iraq's potential.

"These players helped us keep our faces up," Hussein, 43, said.

Although parliament remained in session yesterday, it was eclipsed by news of the game. Political blocs put their squabbles on hold for the day, with the largest Sunni party postponing a major statement in light of the game.

At a time when sectarian tensions between Shiites and Sunnis have worsened in the Iraqi government and on the streets, the soccer team has been credited with helping unite Iraqis. Its leaders include Sunni and Shiite Muslims who work well together and often talk about overcoming sectarianism.

After the Iraqi team's previous Asian Cup game against South Korea on July 25, at least 50 people were killed by two car bomb explosions in the capital; another by celebratory gunfire. Three people were killed by gunfire in the capital after the quarterfinal game against Vietnam on July 21.

Commanders in the Iraqi security forces had vowed early yesterday to better protect jubilant crowds against insurgents. They instructed police and soldiers not to join in celebrations, closed major roads and imposed curfews in several major cities, including Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, Najaf and Hilla.

At least 13 people were killed in violence across Iraq yesterday, including in several explosions in the capital. A mortar round struck near the home of the French ambassador, injuring three of his guards, police said. Baghdad police also recovered 17 bodies dumped in the streets.

Molly Hennessy-Fiske writes for the Los Angeles Times.

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