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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iraq celebrates football victory | Iraq celebrates football victory |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Members of Iraq's national football team have arrived back in Baghdad, almost a week after their unexpected victory in the Asian Cup in Indonesia. | |
| The government is hosting a welcome-home reception for the players in the heavily fortified Green Zone. | 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. |
| The national team landed at Baghdad's international airport on Friday evening and travelled by bus in a convoy to the Green Zone. | |
| In pictures: Football fever | In pictures: Football fever |
| Officials led by Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh reportedly met the team upon its arrival. | |
| 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. |
| The victory was especially emotional because 50 people died when bombers targeted crowds celebrating victory in the semi-final over former winners South Korea. | |
| Job offers | |
| 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. |
| After clinching victory in the final with a late header, skipper Mahmoud, a Sunni Arab, told reporters in Jakarta: "I wish I could go back to Baghdad to celebrate, but who will secure my life? | |
| "In Iraq you do not know who will kill you... I wish the Americans hadn't invaded Iraq and I hope we will get rid of them very soon." | |
| The team's Brazilian coach, Jorvan Viera, was another absentee, after completing his contract. | |
| He is reported to be holidaying in Morocco and considering several job offers after steering Iraq to the surprise victory. |