An Iraqi fan cheers for her team at the 2007 Asian Cup.
An Iraqi fan cheers for her team at the 2007 Asian Cup.
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The Lions of Mesopotamia were rank outsiders for the event but would go on to shock the world.
The Lions of Mesopotamia were rank outsiders for the event but would go on to shock the world.
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Iraq's midfielder Hawar Mulla Mohammed celebrates his goal during Group A match against Australia, an early upset and a sign of things to come.
Iraq's midfielder Hawar Mulla Mohammed celebrates his goal during Group A match against Australia, an early upset and a sign of things to come.
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As the tournament progressed, belief began to go grow among players and fans that Iraq was on the cusp of something special.
As the tournament progressed, belief began to go grow among players and fans that Iraq was on the cusp of something special.
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An Iraqi football fan supports his team before the semi-final match between Iraq and South Korea.
An Iraqi football fan supports his team before the semi-final match between Iraq and South Korea.
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Incredibly, Iraq advanced to the tournament final after a penalty shootout win against regional powerhouse South Korea.
Incredibly, Iraq advanced to the tournament final after a penalty shootout win against regional powerhouse South Korea.
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But tragedy struck as up to 50 people celebrating the semifinal victory were killed by two bombs in Baghdad.
But tragedy struck as up to 50 people celebrating the semifinal victory were killed by two bombs in Baghdad.
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Iraq would go on to defeat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final despite rumors that some players didn't want to play as they thought it could risk more bloodshed in their homeland.
Iraq would go on to defeat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final despite rumors that some players didn't want to play as they thought it could risk more bloodshed in their homeland.
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Iraq's captain and goalscorer in the final, Younis Mohmoud, holds the Asian Cup trophy aloft.
Iraq's captain and goalscorer in the final, Younis Mohmoud, holds the Asian Cup trophy aloft.
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Thousands poured out on to the streets in Iraq to celebrate the remarkable and unlikely triumph.
Thousands poured out on to the streets in Iraq to celebrate the remarkable and unlikely triumph.
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Many fired their weapons in the air in celebration, including these policemen in the Shiite city of Najaf south of Baghdad.
Many fired their weapons in the air in celebration, including these policemen in the Shiite city of Najaf south of Baghdad.
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The scenes of jubilation provided a brief moment of respite from the horrors of conflict and insurgency which had afflicted Iraq since the US and allied invasion of 2003.
The scenes of jubilation provided a brief moment of respite from the horrors of conflict and insurgency which had afflicted Iraq since the US and allied invasion of 2003.
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