Bomber Attacks as Iraqis Celebrate Soccer Win

We have all heard about ridiculous celebrations associated with soccer wins and losses but rarely does one hear of a suicide bombing attack coinciding with a national team victory. Even in the Middle East.

Earlier today in northern Iraq, a female suicide bomber targeted exhuberant soccer fans who were in the process of celebrating a national team win in a big match against China. More than 29 people were wounded when the suicide vest was detonated in a marketplace with no casualties being reported as of press time.

The match, which Iraq won 2-1 in China, was part of the Asian qualifier for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. Iraq, along with China, Australia and Qatar are in Group 1 of the qualifier. The top two teams will advance to the next stage of qualifying. Iraq was able to eliminate China from the competition with their win this morning and is on their way to advancing.

With Iraqis fighting over a number of issues, one of the few things all of their people can rally around is watching their national soccer team in worldwide competition. In Baghdad, as is customary, celebratory gunfire rang out after the Iraqi team won. Certainly no one expected a travesty to unfold the same day the nation was able to come together and celebrate a victory.