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Iraq celebrates football victory | Iraq celebrates football victory |
(10 minutes later) | |
Iraq's national football team has arrived back in Baghdad, almost a week after its unexpected victory in the Asian Cup tournament in Indonesia. | Iraq's national football team has arrived back in Baghdad, almost a week after its unexpected victory in the Asian Cup tournament in Indonesia. |
The government is hosting a welcome-home reception for the players in the heavily fortified Green Zone. | |
However, several of the team are absent, including the captain, Younis Mahmoud, who said he feared for his life if he returned to celebrate. | However, several of the team are absent, including the captain, Younis Mahmoud, who said he feared for his life if he returned to celebrate. |
The team's victories in the Asian Cup sparked wild celebrations across Iraq. | The team's victories in the Asian Cup sparked wild celebrations across Iraq. |
In pictures: Football fever | In pictures: Football fever |
Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Sunday's final, a victory marked by celebratory gunfire in Baghdad. | Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Sunday's final, a victory marked by celebratory gunfire in Baghdad. |
However, 50 people died when bombers targeted crowds celebrating victory in the semi-final over former winners South Korea. | However, 50 people died when bombers targeted crowds celebrating victory in the semi-final over former winners South Korea. |
Iraq's wins, which included victory over tournament favourites Australia, surprised the football world. | Iraq's wins, which included victory over tournament favourites Australia, surprised the football world. |
Correspondents say the victory has temporarily united the divided country. | Correspondents say the victory has temporarily united the divided country. |
The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds. | The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds. |