The Hindu : Sport / Football : Iran parties after qualifying for World Cup finals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 10, 2005

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Sport - Football

Iran parties after qualifying for World Cup finals

TEHRAN: Iran basked on Thursday in the glory of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup soccer finals after a victory over Gulf rival Bahrain which sparked a night of wild street parties across the normally dour Islamic state.

``The big national celebration. Iran stayed up all night,'' said the State-run Iran newspaper. ``The pride and happiness of a nation,'' wrote the conservative Jam-e Jam daily.

Millions in the soccer-mad nation of 68 million people flooded out of their homes to celebrate the 1-0 win which booked Iran's place at the tournament in Germany. It was the third time Iran has qualified for the World Cup finals.

In scenes not witnessed since Iran beat the United States 2-1 during the 1998 World Cup finals in France, young men and women danced and clapped to blaring pop music, set off firecrackers and blew horns.

Security forces generally took a low profile, allowing, for one night at least, people to let off steam and get away with behaviour that would not normally be tolerated.

``Long live Iran. I am so proud of our team. See you in Germany,'' said university student Ali Maleki, 25. — Reuters

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