Mahmoud's header against Saudi Arabia earned Iraq their first continental title at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday evening, just four days after their penalty shoot-out win over the Koreans led to carnage in the town of Mosul.

Two car bombs exploded just hours after the game as thousands of fans celebrated on the streets.

"More than 50 Iraqi people were killed while they were celebrating the victory," said Mahmoud.

"A victim's mother said when her child was lying in front of her - she didn't weep, but she said 'I present my son as a sacrifice to the Iraq national team'. So we had to win."

Mahmoud is eager to return to Iraq to celebrate the team's historic triumph, but the striker admits to having reservations over a return to his homeland because of the continuing violence.

"I wish to go back to Baghdad but I don't know how secure my life is in Iraq," said Mahmoud, who plays his club football for Qatari outfit Al Gharafa. Mahmoud claims one of his friends was arrested in the city last year and has not been seen or heard from since.

Mahmoud also paid tribute to Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira, who guided the team to Asian Cup glory despite taking on the role just six weeks prior to their first game against Thailand on July 7.

Despite the team's unexpected triumph, Vieira has elected not to stay on as coach, his two-month contract with the Iraqi football association having now expired.

"Thanks to God we have had the pleasure of working with Vieira," said Mahmoud.

"We have had a great experience.

"When I arrived in Jordan from Qatar to join the national team, I saw that Mr Vieira had prepared a special programme to win the championship.

"I was surprised really. We didn't imagine that we would achieve such a thing.

"We were all joking about how the coach only had less than two months and asking how he could achieve such a victory because he knows nothing about the players.

"But I would like to say thank you to Mr Vieira, although whether he stays is up to the Iraq Football Association."