Iraq salutes its Asian Cup finalist

BAGHDAD — They're stocking up on fuel for their generators, snapping up flags and team T-shirts, and decorating their cars with flowers.

Soccer fever has reached new heights in Iraq ahead of the national squad's first-ever Asian Cup final.

In a few short weeks, the 15 young players have achieved what Iraq's political and religious leaders have struggled to accomplish in four years of war: uniting their country and restoring a sense of national pride.

"We wish these players sat in the chairs of those politicians," said Ali Mohsin, a Baghdad civil servant. "They did a marvel for us

Each improbable Iraq soccer victory has been met with an outpouring of joy, a rare feeling in this bloodied country. Thousands poured into the streets Wednesday when Iraq's team edged South Korea to clinch a coveted spot in Sunday's final against Saudi Arabia.

"From the north to the south and the east to the west, everyone was celebrating and chanting, 'one Iraq,' " said Mohammed Khalaf, a former team captain and popular TV commentator who now directs the coverage of the state-run Iraqiya Sports Channel.

Shiite and Sunni Muslim friends who can no longer visit each other's neighborhoods, for fear of being shot, found each other again amid the throngs who were dancing, drumming and spraying each other with water and party foam.

"There were people in my club that I hadn't seen for two or three years," said Uday Fadhil, a Shiite trucker and avid member of one of Baghdad's premier soccer fan clubs. "But I saw them in Karada during the celebrations."

Fadhil has already started decorating his car with flags and garlands of flowers in anticipation that the team will bring home the cup from Indonesia. "This is the only happiness we have had in a long time," he said. But that happiness is often short-lived. About 50 fans died Wednesday when two suicide bombers drove their explosives-laden cars into the crowds celebrating on opposite sides of Baghdad. At least four more were killed by stray bullets from the thundering celebratory gunfire that day and after Sunday's quarterfinals win over Vietnam. There were also reports that gunmen used the festivities as cover to settle private scores.

It was a tragic reminder of the vicious violence tearing at Iraq. But the fans insist they will not be cowed.

"If the team wins this time, I will still go out into the streets and celebrate. I don't care if the terrorists ambush us," said Saif Hasan, a Baghdad college student. "I will be wrapped in an Iraqi flag