Baghdad welcomes home Asian Cup soccer heroes

BAGHDAD, Aug 3 (Reuters) Iraq's soccer champions arrive home today to celebrate the Asian Cup victory that inspired their nation but heavy security means few Baghdadis will be able to join the party.

Hundreds of Iraqis managed to negotiate a series of security checkpoints in blistering summer heat to reach the airport in the hope of catching a glimpse of their heroes.

''People have been dancing and chanting and singing all day.

We haven't gotten tired,'' a government employee who was at the airport told Reuters.

But most of the city remained locked down in a weekly curfew for the Muslim day of prayer and the majority of Iraqis expected to see the players only on television.

''It's a shame that this team brought us the happiness of our lives, and we still cannot celebrate them properly,'' said Ammar Hussein, 33. The Baghdad resident said he did not dare take to the streets for safety reasons.

''This is our story. It is the story of Iraq that we always worry about the security situation even when we are supposed to be happiest.'' The team, nicknamed the Lions of Mesopotamia, triggered nationwide euphoria last week when they defeated heavily favoured Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Cup final.

They are due to arrive in the late afternoon and be whisked to the ''Green Zone'' for a private ceremony inside the heavily fortified compound that protects U.S. and Iraqi officials.

Several top players, including captain Younis Mahmoud, have indicated they might not return home because of the dangers.

At least seven people were killed by stray bullets as joyous Iraqis fired rifles into the air after the final whistle of Sunday's match. Television presenters wept on air.

Iraqis hailed the multi-ethnic and multi-sect team as proof they could overcome the divisions that have led to civil war.

Newspapers and TV commentators contrasted the players with the country's feuding and ineffective politicians.

Since the victory, the team has been feted in boisterous celebrations in Dubai and Jordan.

REUTERS DH VC2016