Iraqi soccer team to play first home match in 7 years, hosting Palestine
By APTuesday, July 7, 2009
Iraq hosts 1st home soccer match since 2002
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s national soccer team will play on home soil Friday for the first time since 2002, hosting Palestine.
Tareq Ahmed, a senior official in the Iraqi Football Federation, said Tuesday that Iraq will play two exhibition matches against Palestine — the first Friday in northern Iraq, and the second next week in Baghdad.
“This is another sign that the security situation is getting better,” Ahmed said in a telephone interview. He added that he expected a huge turnout by fans “who are eager to see their national team playing inside Iraq.”
The Iraqi players have flown to the northern city of Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s self-governing Kurdish region that will host the first match, Ahmed said.
Ahmed said Iraqi coach Nathem Shaker will take charge of the Iraq team against Palestine. The contract of coach Bora Milutinovic expired at the end of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Iraq also plans to play Tanzania in Baghdad in August.
Iraq last played a home game on July 22, 2002, when it beat Syria 2-1 in Baghdad. The country sank into chaos after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, but has made gains in security after years of insurgent attacks and sectarian violence.
