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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQ STUNS FOOTBALL WORLD WITH UPSET VICTORY; EARNS HISTORIC FIRST TRIP TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Victory Guarantees Iraq Soccer Team a Place at 2004 Athens Olympic Games

Amman, Jordan -- May 12, 2004 � In a stunning upset victory, the Iraq national football team defeated Saudi Arabia tonight 3 to1 to earn a trip to the 2004 Olympic Summer games in Athens. The victory marks the first time in Iraq�s history that its football team will compete in the Olympics. In addition to defeating Saudi Arabia, Iraq needed a draw in the final game between Kuwait and Oman to qualify. The game ended 0-0 sealing Iraq�s bid.

�This means Iraq is on the right path,� said Hawar Mulla Mohammed through tears moments after the game. He had scored the team�s go-ahead, and eventually winning, goal of the game. �Our entire country deserves this incredible win. When the bus pulled into the stadium tonight we refused to think of anything but winning and now we are headed to Athens,� concluded the soon to be Olympian.

�The Iraqi team played a great match tonight,� said National Olympic Committee of Iraq President Ahmed Al-Samarrai �Simply stated this is the biggest moment in Iraqi Olympic history.�

The victory means that Iraq will send approximately 30 athletes to the Summer games � a seven fold increase from just four years ago.
 

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