Win overrides violence

IRAQ'S dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the semifinal of football's Asian Cup sparked a barrage of gunfire last night as Baghdadis celebrated with volleys of shots in the air.

IRAQ'S dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the semifinal of football's Asian Cup sparked a barrage of gunfire last night as Baghdadis celebrated with volleys of shots in the air.

The Iraqi capital was rocked by the sound of assault rifle and machine-gun fire as militant groups, insurgents and residents put aside their differences and fired skywards. Authorities had warned of falling bullets - last week's quarterfinal victory saw at least three people killed by stray rounds - but the joy of the extra-time win overcame caution as gunmen poured on to the streets. - Sapa-AFP