Iraq defeats Costa Rica 2-0

Iraq's Olympic soccer team proved its opening victory was no fluke.

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

Iraq was not expected to qualify for the Olympic tournament, much less open with victories over Portugal and Costa Rican. The nation managed to put together a team despite the continuing conflict at home, and its success at the Olympics has provided a rare bright spot for Iraqis around the world.

"We're delighted by the victories because we know what it means to our people," Iraq coach Adnan Hamad said through an interpreter.

In the 67th minute, Hawar Mulla Mohammed slammed a bouncing ball into the net from 18 yards out to put Iraq ahead, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Mohammed jubilantly 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.

While Iraqi Olympic Committee president Ahmed Al Samarri did not approve of fans throwing objects, he understood their motivation. "They were very excited," he said. "Especially for the Iraqi people, they miss such happiness."

In May, Iraq clinched an Olympic soccer berth just three months after being reinstated by the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic committee was previously run by Saddam Hussein's late son, Uday, who allegedly tortured players when they fell out of favor.

Two months after qualifying, the team's German coach, Bernd Stange, resigned, claiming authorities advised him to leave for his safety.

He was replaced by his assistant, Hamad, who coached Iraq's national soccer team to victory in the West Asian Championship in 2002 and played on the national team during the early 1980s.

In July, Iraq reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup, a run that included a 2-1 win over regional soccer power Saudi Arabia. It was Iraq's first win over the Saudis since 1988.

Against Costa Rica, 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.

"The difficulties that all Iraqis have endured especially over the last year and a half with the occupation - we fully recognize what we're doing as ambassadors for our country," Hamad said.