Saudis and Iraqis Tie in Soccer

DOHA, Qatar — They carried three players off the field on stretchers--one battered man twice--and fistfights broke out in the stands at the end of the bruising action on the field.

But the big political event of the Asia finals of the World Cup qualifying matches Sunday ended in an inconclusive game, tied at 1-1, as Saudi Arabia played Iraq, accompanied by the rhythmic chanting of white-robed Saudis and the clanging of tambourines by Iraqi fans.

The isolated and boycotted Iraqis desperately want to qualify and reach the finals in the United States as a matter of wounded national pride.

So nasty was the atmosphere that the Saudis let loose a barrage of bleating horns during the playing of the Iraqi national anthem by a Qatari military band.

Iraq scored its goal in the first four minutes of the game when captain Ahmed Radhi flicked the ball into the net after getting a cross from Selim Hussain. Many Iraqi fans quickly switched photographs of a praying Saddam to a smiling Saddam after the goal. The Saudis’ Saeed Owairan scored about 30 minutes later.

In one rare moment of fraternity on the field, a Saudi player extended his hand to lift a fallen Iraqi player off the ground. A smattering of applause rippled through the stands, but quickly faded away. In its place, the 15,000 Saudi fans threw firecrackers and streamers.