Iraq make winning return to international fold&nbsp; <img src="http://www.persianleague.com/images/pic.gif" width="13" height="11">

AFC -  IRAQ (pictured in green) returned to the international footballing fold in spectacular fashion last night, beating neighbors Iran in Tehran by a solitary goal.

The match was the first competitive international outing for Bernd Stange's team since the toppling of Saddam Hussein by a US-led military invasion.

Iraq, fielding a very different side to the one that won the West Asian Football Federation Championship last autumn and without the Olympic players currently winning plaudits at a tournament in Saudi Arabia, dominated large parts of the game, despite being up against a strong Iran team that also included several players who play for the country’s Olympic football team.

The only goal of the game came in the 53rd minute through Abdul Fayaz, who shot from the edge of the box should beat Ebrahim Mirzapour.

The goal and the subsequent substitution of Iran legend Ali Daei saw the fans turn their anger and frustration towards Iran coach Homayun Shahroukhi who faces pressure from the Iranian media to hold onto his job. "It was a bad day for us," said Shahrouki after the game. "We had many chance but we just couldn't find the net. I congratulate the Iraq team. They played bravely and I hope the Iraqi people will now have something to celebrate after the terrible war."

For Iraq coach Stange, the result was almost too good to be true. The German coach only returned back to his adopted country at the end of June after fleeing in February. With decent facilities in short supply, team get-togethers have been few and far between, making the result all the more extraordinary.

"I was surprised by the way my players played, especially in the first half," said Stange. "We have had had no facilities in Iraq even but the secret to winning this game was fighting hard and running until the end. Football is vital for people in Iraq and this result will take joy into people’s homes in Iraq."

Iraq’s next encounter is the four-team tournament is against Uruguay on Friday. Iran play Cameroon.