In Divided Iraq, Soccer Fans Have Common Goal

BAGHDAD, Dec. 10, 2006 — -- In this city, which has become perhaps the most dangerous place on the planet, there is one thing that seems to quiet the chaos -- the national soccer team.

The effect of a big game -- like Saturday's match against Uzbekistan -- is amazing. The fighting and the crime in Baghdad come almost to a complete halt.

The city is transformed as its residents sit, transfixed, before television screens. Shiites and Sunnis crowd into cafes and living rooms, all rooting for the same thing.

(At the ABC News bureau in Baghdad, work comes second during a game. You can forget about asking anything of the normally hard-working Iraqi staff.)

Saturday night's match was the quarterfinals of the Asian Games.

Iraq scored an early goal -- but the Uzbeks soon answered with their own. The game went into overtime. Iraqis of all sectarian stripes were biting their nails.

Four minutes into overtime, Iraq scored the winning goal.

Baghdadis, Shiite and Sunni alike, erupted.

That's when the celebratory gunfire started. From our offices, we were overwhelmed by the crackle of small arms. It lit up the sky. (If we weren't watching the game ourselves, it might have given us a real scare.)

One of our translators captured pictures of an Iraqi policeman handing his guns over to a fellow fan for firing.

It hasn't been easy for Iraqi athletes to compete in any sport, and not because of old equipment or few places to train. Players, coaches and officials have been kidnapped and killed due to religious warfare.

As a result of the danger athletes in Iraq face, this is their first year participating in the Asian Games after a two decade's absence.