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Thursday, August 14 2003 @ 11:53 AM Central Daylight Time
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Iraqi national soccer team rejoices at going on to the finals after defeating the host Iranian team with 1-0 score in LG Cup Football Tournament that was held in Tehran.
Iraqi choach Nezar Ashraf Salman stressed that this victory shows Iraq successfully returned to the world soccer arena.
Muhaned Muhammed Ali, one of the players, "as you know, we come from a country, which has very hard conditions and had heavyly suffered from long-war years. Neither our sport foundations nor stadium nor financial sources are enough good for reliable training. We, as a team that was established in the wake of ousted Saddam's regime, held our first match in Iran. And also it was very important for us. Fortunately, thanks to God, we won despite all negative factors. This victory occured owing to cooperation among us and efforts of our German trainer."
Another soccer player, Abdulvahab Abu Elheyl, explained his gladness saying, " Despite we had very little exercise, to be successfull is too good for us. Before the match, we had only one idea and it was to make Iraq to be famous in football... In conclusion, we succeded."
Coach Nezar Ashraf Salman, " After Iraq war, the soccer started to return into normal in the country. We povisionally establihed Iraq Football Union and set up this team. Our aim is that Iraqi football enters the soccer world. Actually, we gained a very good result athough we struggled lots of difficulties. Personal efforts of German trainer Bern Stange assisted in our success. This victory shows Iraq successfully returned to the world soccer arena. We take pride in firstly defeating Iran over the last 30-35 years."
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