[DunbarFC]

Iraq does it again

Sunday, August 15, 2004
Iraq improves to 2-0 in Games

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Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece -- Iraq's Olympic soccer team proved its opening victory was no fluke.


Iraq defeated Costa Rica 2-0 Sunday night in a game where a boisterous crowd not only provided atmosphere but temporarily halted play as jubilant Iraqi fans ran onto the field.


Hawar Mulla Mohammed slammed a bouncing ball into the net from 18 yards out in the 67th minute to put Iraq ahead, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Mohammed jubillantly sprinted around the endline and up the sideline, where he was mobbed by his teammates.


Within moments, a couple of Iraqi fans jumped out of the crowd to join the celebration. About two dozen others followed suit, running around the field and the area surrounding it. Police and security personnel responded, but it took about three minutes to clear the pitch of fans and debris.


Shortly after the ensuing kickoff, Mohammed took the ball down the left side and crossed it to Mahdi Karim, who headed it in -- prompting several fans to take to the field yet again.


One jumped around the Costa Rican goal and tossed an Iraqi flag into the net. Another ran to midfield and hugged an Iraqi player. One heavyset spectator lumbered across the field toward the Iraqi technical area and into a cluster of people that included two players, a uniformed officer and another fan.


After another short delay, the game resumed.


The referee added six minutes of extra time on to the end of the second half, mostly to make up for time lost by the fan field invasions. After the second Iraq goal, police and security called in reinforcements to guard the stands on either sideline, where most of the 12,153 fans were seated.


After the final whistle, the Iraqi players linked arms and jogged toward their adoring throng. As the players applauded the fans for their support, a few more fans hopped the wall and tried to break through the line of officers.


Some succeeded and sprinted to the center circle to embrace the Iraqis.


Iraq stunned Portugal 4-2 in its Olympic opener and has a commanding lead in Group D.