By ITP
In pictures: International friendly between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Basra
It is the first time football-mad Iraq, who almost made the cut for the 2018 World Cup themselves, have hosted an international match since 1990.


President of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa (C) claps prior to the start of the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

A football fan waves a Saudi Arabian flag during the friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Saudi fans cheer watch the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Saudi players walk out onto the pitch prior to the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Iraq’s Hussam Kadhem Jaber (L) vies for the ball against Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Al Raheb during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Iraqi and Saudi Arabian players embrace at the end of the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Saudi Arabia’s players vie for the ball against Iraq’s players during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Iraq’s goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed celebrates after they scored a goal during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Iraq’s Alaa Ali Mhawi (L) and Saudi Arabia’s Ahmad Asiri vie for the ball during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Iraq’s Muhanad Ali (L) scores a goal as Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah watches on during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.

Saudi Arabia’s Maath Hasan (R) vies for the ball against Iraq’s Hussam Kadhem Jaber during the international friendly football match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Basra Sports city stadium in Basra on February 28, 2018.