BAGHDAD -- Iraq thrashed Macao 8-0 before
a drum-beating, flag-waving crowd of more than 60,000 in their
first Asian zone group six World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Fans crammed into Baghdad's Sha'b Stadium, which was built
to hold 40,000, raising flags, beating drums, dancing, chanting,
and clapping non-stop for one and a half hours.
Iraq dominated both halves, with striker Husham Muhammed
scoring five times -- four of the goals coming before the break.
Husham opened the scoring in the 21st minute with an
accurate shot and added three more in the space of five minutes
midway through the half.
His fifth came in the 76th minute, either side of a double
strike by Sabah J'aeer, with forward Ahmed Kadhim completing the
rout three minutes from the end.
In the group's other match on Thursday, Kazakhstan beat
Nepal 6-0.
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