Iraq football victory sparks joy on Baghdad streets

[k98nights]

Iraq football victory sparks joy on Baghdad streets

AFP – Iraq's qualification for the quarter-finals of the Asia Cup has sparked hope of a repeat of its 2007 …

by Jacques Clement Jacques Clement – 49 mins ago BAGHDAD (AFP) – Iraq's qualification for the quarter-finals of the Asia Cup sparked hope of a repeat of its 2007 success, after jubilant fans lit up the Baghdad night sky with fireworks and bullets.

The national side's qualification for the knock-out round, setting up a clash with Australia, came after a 1-0 victory over North Korea that followed two group matches where Iraq's football team looked well short of tournament challengers.

But at one Baghdad billiards hall where fans gathered to watch the game, the latest victory sparked hope that Iraq's footballers could repeat their Cinderella story from four years ago and take home the trophy.

"We had lost hope after the setback against Iran," said Mohammed Haidar, a 19-year-old student, sitting on a plastic garden chair between two billiard tables in the Casino al-Baghdadi in the capital's central Karrada district.

He was referring to Iraq's 2-1 defeat to its neighbour and fierce rival in the two sides' opening Asia Cup match.

"But Iraq was very good tonight," Haidar said Wednesday night. "And God willing, another success is possible."

In July 2007, while sectarian violence in Iraq was rampant, the entire country joined in celebration when the national side beat Saudi Arabia in Jakarta to win the Asia Cup.

"Even the families of the martyrs joined in the enjoyment," Haidar recalled.

At the time, attacks were so common that the Casino al-Baghdadi, a vast two-storey cafe, was closed.

"A gathering like this one would have been unimaginable," noted the cafe's owner Jassim Allawi Mohsen, known in the area simply as "the butcher" for the job he held following the US-led invasion in 2003, until it became safe to reopen his cafe.

Mohsen, 56, continues to operate his butcher shop on the ground floor of the Casino al-Baghdadi along with a small tea and ****** shop, with the pool tables and a single flat-screen television on the first floor.

"Security in Baghdad has improved significantly," said Mohsen, a stocky man with a shaved head and a scar running along his jaw from his left ear.

The two guards at the entrance to the cafe -- both Mohsen's sons -- freely allow customers with guns in, checking only for explosives. The threat, he explains, comes from suicide bombers who target crowds of people.

The afternoon of the game, two suicide bombings north of Baghdad left 16 dead and 130 wounded.

"I have confidence in the two security guards at the bottom of the stairs: they are my sons," Mohsen said. "They search everyone who enters. If there is a suicide bombing, it will happen at the door but go no further," he said impassively.

Asked if he was scared of gunmen or attackers, he replied simply that security was run by him and his seven brothers.

"We are all butchers," he said with a chuckle.

Inside the neon-lit games room, hundreds of eyes were trained at the game being played out on the flat-screen television screen. Some fans took small sips of tea, and others took drags from a ******, but none were interested in starting a game of pool.

Income on the night of matches drops significantly, according to Mohsen, as fans in the football-mad country stay home to watch on television, with revenue dropping by around 30 percent.

"But I'm not here for the money, I'm here for the people," he insisted, noting that he felt indebted to residents of the neighbourhood, where he has lived his entire life.

Suddenly, the screen went dark, the result of one of Baghdad's frequent power cuts, spurring the 100-odd customers watching the match to break into football songs in support of the national side.

"The only thing that unites all Iraqis -- Shiites, Sunnis, Christians -- is football," explained Firaz Fuad Hanna, a 38-year-old electrician.

As the final whistle blew, and Iraq's place in the Asia Cup quarter-finals was guaranteed, the crowd erupted in joy, followed minutes later by crowds of supporters waving the Iraqi flag on the street outside the Casino al-Baghdadi.

Across the neighbourhood, fireworks were launched into the air, and jubilant fans fired their pistols and rifles into the air -- a practice that has been condemned by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to no avail, with security officials Thursday morning reporting 13 wounded as a result.

"That is stupidity," Mohsen said wearily, noting that the practice remains from the time of now-executed dictator Saddam Hussein's rule.

"Just because of that, I have to wait for two hours past my usual closing time before going home."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110120/wl_mideast_afp/fblasia2011gpdirqiraqunrest

[beaver]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gxPHp-7Vpi4sHYLidtXYlMhsiG2w?docId=CNG.757ca5373403062be79e5ac797aa04fd.411

[Gcola]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gxPHp-7Vpi4sHYLidtXYlMhsiG2w?docId=CNG.757ca5373403062be79e5ac797aa04fd.411

How about changing the title to 'Celebrating in Iraq over sports victory'.

[Jim1cor13]

How about changing the title to 'Celebrating in Iraq over sports victory'.

I agree. I am wondering to myself if "Possum" is with them

mingling through the crowd mumbling something about

RV happening, and it is being hid by the sports fans of iraq....

It just adds more to the understanding that games are being played

or most likely more correct, lies are being told.

Thanks for the post beaver

All my best!

Jim

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[Munsch]

How about changing the title to 'Celebrating in Iraq over sports victory'.

I merge the topic k98 posted earlier.

[Carrello]

The Iraqis take a two-week holiday for religious reasons, but they can still play football? I didn't know Hussein played back then.

Just kidding, I am glad they have something to celebrate. They deserve many more victories.