Contact: Shane Wolfe
Office of Strategic Communications
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IRAQI NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM ENJOYS EARLY SUCCESS IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Baghdad, Iraq…September 21, 2003— The Iraqi National Soccer team has taken another step closer to qualifying to play at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

The Iraqi team tied 1-1 with Vietnam in first-round action of the 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament at Hanoi National Stadium, the Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraq’s Ministry of Youth and Sport announced today.

Iraqi midfielder Salah Sader scored in the 32nd minute of the first half. Vietnam countered with its own goal in the 74th minute.

The Iraqi team earlier this month beat Vietnam 3-1 in Damascus, Syria. With the recent tie, the Iraqi team moves on to second-round playoffs. The Iraqis will face DPR North Korea in Pyongyang on September 22.

“If we get through North Korea, we will meet with Japan, Kuwait or Bahrain in the final qualifiers,” said Sadad Alamter, head of Iraq’s delegation. “I am sure that it will be Iraq and Japan advancing.”

The return leg of the second round is set for October 2 in Amman, Jordan.

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