Iraq's soccer victory in Asian Cup greeted by celebratory gunfire in Baghdad

AP
July 25, 2007
Source

BAGHDAD: Heavy celebratory gunfire rang out across the Iraqi capital Wednesday after the country's national soccer team beat South Korea in the Asian Cup to reach the tournament's final.

Iraq and South Korea played to a scoreless draw through 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. But Iraq won a penalty shootout 4-3 to advance to Sunday's final in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The successful run in the Asian Cup has been a cause of much joy in this wartorn country, with Iraqis saying the mixed makeup of the team showed the country's rival ethnic and religious factions can unite despite years of sectarian violence.