Soccer team’s victory brings euphoria to Iraqis

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A stream of red tracer bullets cut through the night sky amid a hail of celebratory gunfire as Iraqis, exhausted from war and unending violence, celebrated their national soccer team’s startling 1-0 victory over Australia in the Olympic quarterfinal.

The victory pulled the underdog team within sight of a medal, an achievement that would turn the entire squad into instant heroes.

In Baghdad, young men flocked to cafes and hotels to watch the game. When Emad Mohammed scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute, fans across the city leapt to their feet, clapping and waving their arms.

After the victory was assured, Iraqis shot into the air, sped through the streets with national flags fluttering from their cars and screamed “God is great” throughout Baghdad.

The team’s success comes despite an array of challenges few other teams have to face. Not only do team members have to deal with the daily violence here, but they can’t even play games on home turf because other nations do not want to come here.

A year ago, Iraq’s soccer federation had been disbanded, the team had no facilities and no cash and the nation had been suspended by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC reinstated Iraq only in February, giving it time to prepare for the games.