Iraq's soccer stars know they can't do much to stop the bombs and bullets in their homeland. But for 90 minutes they made their nation forget thanks to Thursday's 4-2 win over star-studded Portugal at the Olympics.
Another chapter of Iraq soccer's amazing story was written in Patras, where the team that couldn't play any of its early qualifying games on home soil came from behind to beat one of the Olympics' strongest medal contenders.
"This victory will be received with happiness by my people, who have suffered through much," said Iraq coach Adnan Hamad, whose countrymen were already taking to the streets of Baghdad, lighting up the night sky with streaks of celebratory gunfire.
"It's very important for us to have won this first game," player Abdul Wahab said. "We hope to give more satisfaction to our people who need happiness."
The result, which put Iraq top of its group, won't be enough to stop the bloodshed back home. But soccer will offer its hand of friendship to a team that has endured so much to get here.
Iraq qualified under German coach Bernd Stange, who quit in May when told his life would be in danger if he ever returned to the war-torn country. The players have effectively been living off donations from other federations and cash gained from friendly matches.
It paid dividends on Thursday.
The Iraqis handed the first goal to Portugal in the 13th minute when defender Haidar Jabar accidentally turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a pass by Cristiano Ronaldo. Three minutes later, however, striker Emad Mohammed tied the game after picking up a rebound from the goalkeeper, Moreira.
Iraq went ahead 2-1 in the 29th when Hawar Mulla Mohammed scored on a soft shot after dribbling past the goalkeeper, but Portugal tied it a minute before halftime on a goal by Bosingwa.
Younis Mahmoud put Iraq ahead 3-2 in the 56th, and Salih Sadir scored during injury time to seal the victory.
Portugal ended the match with 10 men after Boa Morte was ejected for rough play. As the Portuguese player left the field, he was showered with dozens of plastic bottles by Iraqi fans.
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