[IRAQ] Iraq played its first home game in Baghdad since the 2003 invasion toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein, beating Palestine, 4-0, on Monday. The 45,000-seat Shaab Stadium, which seats about 45,000 people, was packed with fans — indicative of the improvement in conditions.
Some fans sat next to the goals at both ends of the pitch until Iraqi security forces cleared them away.
Iraq hopes to convince FIFA the country is safe enough to host official soccer matches again.
“I am so happy!” young fan Jabbar Qassim told Reuters shortly after performing a break dance with his friend to an amused crowd. “Mark my words: I will come to every match the Iraqi football team plays in Baghdad forever.”
On Friday, Iraq hosted its first match since the war, beating Palestine, 3-0, in the northern Kurdish city of Arbil.
Nadhim Shakir replaced Bora Milutinovic as Iraq’s coach after the Confederations Cup.
Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup with a team dominated by exiles but failed to advance to the final stages of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.