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Iraq celebrates football victory | Iraq celebrates football victory |
(10 minutes later) | |
Thousands of Iraqis have spilled onto the streets to celebrate their football squad's Asian Cup victory, firing guns into the air despite a government ban. | Thousands of Iraqis have spilled onto the streets to celebrate their football squad's Asian Cup victory, firing guns into the air despite a government ban. |
Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. Celebratory gunfire was heard in Baghdad, where authorities had banned vehicles and urged fans not to gather. | Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. Celebratory gunfire was heard in Baghdad, where authorities had banned vehicles and urged fans not to gather. |
It was feared crowds could be targets for bombers. Some 50 people died in attacks after last week's semi-final. | It was feared crowds could be targets for bombers. Some 50 people died in attacks after last week's semi-final. |
Correspondents say Iraq's progress has temporarily united the divided country. | Correspondents say Iraq's progress 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. |
In pictures: Football fever | In pictures: Football fever |
Thousands of Iraqis, who had been following the match in Indonesia on television, rushed into the streets of the capital and other cities to celebrate. | Thousands of Iraqis, who had been following the match in Indonesia on television, rushed into the streets of the capital and other cities to celebrate. |
The crowds in Baghdad included members of the security forces. Guns were fired into the air despite an earlier warning by the authorities that any such displays would be punished. | The crowds in Baghdad included members of the security forces. Guns were fired into the air despite an earlier warning by the authorities that any such displays would be punished. |
Meanwhile at the stadium in Jakarta, the BBC's Lucy Williamson says the atmosphere is electric. | Meanwhile at the stadium in Jakarta, the BBC's Lucy Williamson says the atmosphere is electric. |
She says there is huge sympathy and support here for the Iraqi team, for their difficulties in training and the continuing violence at home. | She says there is huge sympathy and support here for the Iraqi team, for their difficulties in training and the continuing violence at home. |
The team said they wanted to give Iraq something to celebrate as a nation - they have done it and many others in Indonesia are celebrating with them, our correspondent says. | The team said they wanted to give Iraq something to celebrate as a nation - they have done it and many others in Indonesia are celebrating with them, our correspondent says. |
Football fever | Football fever |
Earlier, the Iraqi authorities banned the use of vehicles in Baghdad until 0600 (0200 GMT) on Monday in an effort to prevent a repeat of the bloodshed which followed the semi-final win. | Earlier, the Iraqi authorities banned the use of vehicles in Baghdad until 0600 (0200 GMT) on Monday in an effort to prevent a repeat of the bloodshed which followed the semi-final win. |
The crowds in Baghdad included members of the security forcesA similar ban was also imposed in the northern city of Kirkuk. | The crowds in Baghdad included members of the security forcesA similar ban was also imposed in the northern city of Kirkuk. |
Military spokesman Brigadier General Qassim Moussawi said they wanted to stop "terrorists, Sunni extremists and criminals from targeting the joy of the people". | |
Iraq surprised the football world by beating tournament favourites Australia, and then former winners South Korea in Wednesday's semi-final match. | Iraq surprised the football world by beating tournament favourites Australia, and then former winners South Korea in Wednesday's semi-final match. |
Wild celebrations followed that victory, with crowds dancing in the streets and waving the national flag. | Wild celebrations followed that victory, with crowds dancing in the streets and waving the national flag. |
But the party was brought to a bloody end as insurgents detonated bombs in two parts of Baghdad, killing about 50 people. | But the party was brought to a bloody end as insurgents detonated bombs in two parts of Baghdad, killing about 50 people. |