Iraq, making their first appearance in the Olympics football tourmament for 16 years, got their gold medal campaign off to a flying start in Patras with a come-from-behind 4-2 win over their European opponents who boasted Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and Premiership player Luis Boa Morte in their ranks.

"We did our compatriots proud," said Hamd.

"You have to remember that we are facing big difficulties even at training because of the situation in our country. We tried to do the Iraqi people proud.

"I think after this win our compatriots will forget for a moment their problems. I believe that football can join nations, to help in peace and this is important."

Iraq endured a chaotic build-up to the Olympics.

The ravages of war in their homeland meant they had to play all of their home qualifying matches in neutral Jordan while their German coach Bernd Stange quit in July citing concerns over deteriorating security, leaving Hamd in charge.

Football facilities in Iraq have also been devastated by the conflict.

Sheep graze on their training pitch while the US military use Baghdad's main stadium as a parking lot for tanks and armoured vehicles.

"We call the football team the team of the future," said player Basim Abbas.

"It makes me sad when I see all that is happening here, we love our country so much.

"But I am optimistic that one day there will be a new Iraq and that the people on the Olympic committee will improve sport in Iraq."

SADDAM HUSSEIN'S elder son Uday used to chair the Iraq Olympic Committee and the Iraqi Football Federation until his father's regime crumbled in 2003.

Under his chairmanship, athletes who lost championships or incurred his displeasure were routinely tortured.

But those dark days seemed a long way off on Thursday as, back home in Baghdad, Iraqis celebrated by firing guns in the street to mark their team's win which gave them a good chance of making the quarter-finals.

"Iraq showed tonight that we can do well in the Olympic tournament," said midfielder Qusai Munir while Younis Mahmoud, who hit the third of his team's goals, was also confident of further progress.

"Everybody expected Portugal to win," Said Mahmoud who summed up his side's defiance by playing with a bandaged head after being struck by Ronaldo's elbow in the first half.

"We played very good football and showed we are a good team. We pulled off a surprise and we will continue."AFP