Iraq beat Jordan in friendly as they host their first game in years

Record ID: 877774

  • Title: Iraq beat Jordan in friendly as they host their first game in years
  • Date: 1st June 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI FAN ALI HUSSEIN, SAYING: "This match has brought together all Iraqis from north to south, we hope it will be a new beginning for Iraq and all Iraqis. God willing, we can dream of better and more, and God willing more stadiums will re-open and the ban on Iraq (hosting games) will be lifted throughout the country." VARIOUS OF FANS ARRIVING AT THE MATCH
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2017 00:50
  • Keywords: hosting Basra Jordan Iraq
  • Location: BASRA, IRAQ
  • City: BASRA, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036JG6SZJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Iraq played their first game on home soil on Thursday (June 1) after several years of conflict and instability had seen the national side play their "home" games abroad in countries like Jordan and Qatar.
    It was the national team's first match in the impressive Sports City stadium in Basra, opened in 2013 - the same year Iraq last played on home soil - with a capacity of over 65,000 people.
    Iraq beat neighbouring Jordan in the friendly match 1-0 thanks to a 15th minute header from Captain Alaa Abdul-Zahra, with the striker receiving a pinpoint cross from Hammadi Ahmed.
    Supporters created an electric atmosphere amid a sea of flags in the stadium, beating drums and singing chants, as they couldn't contain their joy in seeing the national team playing on home soil once again.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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