Iraq soccer team qualifies for Olympics
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-13 11:09

Iraq's soccer team qualified for the Athens Olympics on Wednesday, less than three months after the country was reinstated by the International Olympic Committee.

The Iraqi soccer team hold the Iraqi flag during an Olympic qualifying soccer tournament at Jordan's King Abdullah Stadium in Quweismeh suburbs in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday May 12, 2004. Iraq's soccer team qualified for the Athens Olympics less than three months after the country was reinstated by the International Olympic Committee. [AP]

Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 3-1, and then clinched the third and final Asian qualifying spot when Kuwait held Oman to a scoreless draw.

Celebratory gunfire was heard in central Baghdad after the match, and tracers zoomed across the sky.

"It's a crazy joy for us," Iraq defender Ahmed Alwan said. "Despite all of the difficulties we faced, we still managed to qualify for Athens and I believe that we deserve our place in the Olympics."

Both Iraq and Oman finished Group C play with nine points, but Iraq won based on goal difference.

Only one team qualifies from the group.

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