Updated on
Summary
Iraqs national soccer team beat Palestine 4-0 on Monday in their first international match in Baghdad since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.Baghdads Shaab stadium, which seats about 45,000 people, was full to bursting point with jubilant Iraqis waving flags and cheering on their national side, although few Palestinians made it to the game.Some fans sat next to the goals at both ends of the pitch until Iraqi security forces cleared them away.Iraq hopes to convince FIFA the country is safe enough to host official soccer matches again.The country hosted on Friday its first match since the war in the northern Kurdish city of Arbil. Iraq also beat Palestine in that match, 3-0.FIFA, soccers world governing body, approved both games, but has yet to lift a general ban on Iraq hosting matches.
