Hundreds of Iraqi fans were cheering and dancing on the streets of Baghdad, waving Iraqi flags, beating drums, dancing and shooting skywards, after their soccer team won the 2007 Asian Cup on Sunday, defying vehicle curfews and gunfire ban.
"Congratulation to our people and thanks to our heroes who proved they were real Iraqis and set a good example for the politicians how to unify and perform as a team," said Ahmad Aziz, a 28-year-old shopowner.
Iraqis of all ages and from feuding factions swarmed into the streets in downtown Baghdad to celebrate a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the 14th Asian Cup final in Jakarta, Indonesia, showing a rare harmonious scene amid daily violence.
"For God's sake, let us live a day with happiness. Let Baghdad live in peace even for one day," jubilant Hassan Abbas, a 45-year- old teacher, said with tears in his eyes.
Dozens of gunmen in Baghdad's western district of Khadraa took to the streets and shot fire into the air, celebrating the victory of their national soccer team despite the government's orders of ceasefire.
In central Baghdad, a gathering of triumphant Iraqi civilians and soldiers were also expressing their excitement and happiness to the historic victory.
"I can't describe my happiness. They brought back our lost happiness and opened a door for a hope for our people," said Husam Ali, a government employee.
"We are out despite the danger of gunfire and car bomb attacks. I want to tell those killers that they have no right to prevent us from living like other people in the world," said Taiseer Hussein, 17, a student, who was with dozens of jubilant youngsters in Khadraa neighborhood.
They chanted "Iraq, Iraq, Iraq," and "Long live for the Lions of the Two Rivers," referring to the Iraqi soccer squad.
The Iraqi security forces had imposed traffic curfews and intensify security measures in the capital before the Asian Cup final began on Sunday in a bid to prevent militants and terrorists from attacking soccer fans.
"We have decided to impose traffic ban starting from 4:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday to 6:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Monday," Brigadier General Qasim al-Moussawi, spokesman of the Imposing Law security plane said.
Two suicide car bombings struck Iraqi soccer fans in Baghdad after Iraq's semi-final win on Wednesday, killing at least 55 people and injuring some 135 others.
On July 21 when the Iraqi national team cruised into the semi- finals of the Asian Cup, gunfire of celebrations killed two people and wounded 15 others in Baghdad.
Source: Xinhua
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