Afghanistan stun India to win Saff football title in Kathmandu

Avenge defeat from previous final against same opponents with 2-0 victory.

Afghanistan sought revenge against India for their previous Saff Games final defeat. Gurinder Osan / AP Photo

Revenge-seeking Afghanistan broke India’s stranglehold on the South Asian Football Federation (Saff) title with an impressive 2-0 win over the two-time defending champions in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The sturdy Afghans never looked back after Mustafa Azadzoy put them ahead in the ninth minute of the fast-paced final, with Sandjar Ahmadi extending the lead in the 62nd minute.

An estimated 5,000 fans at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in the Nepalese capital were treated to attacking football in a repeat of the previous final in 2011 in New Delhi between the same teams.

The Afghans had publicly spoken about their intention to seek revenge for the humiliating 4-0 loss to India in that final, which they blamed on poor supervision by the referee.

Mission accomplished, the Afghan squad led by coach Yousef Kargar danced on the field with their nation’s flag held aloft, before doing a lap of honour in front of an appreciative crowd.

“You can’t imagine how big this moment is for our country, our fans, our team and me,” Kargar said. “This was an important game for us, and not just because we wanted to take revenge.

“We have proved that we belong in the world of football. Our team has improved a lot over the last few years and I am sure we will get better in the years to come.”

Afghanistan, ranked 139th in the world as compared to India’s 145th, were rewarded for an early assault on the Indian goal when Azadzoy scored following a swift move from the right flank.

India responded with quick strikes of their own through Robin Singh and the Japanese-born Arata Izumi, both of which were thwarted by Afghan goalkeeper Mansur Faqiryar.

A surprise move by Wim Koevermans, India’s Dutch coach, to bench Sunil Chettri, the star striker, till the 60th minute cost the defending champions dearly as several chances went begging.

Afghanistan took advantage of their fumbling rivals as Ahmadi made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, chipping the ball out of the reach of the outstretched Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul.

Koevermans rued the lack of missed opportunities by his players, who, he said, had a good tournament despite the loss in the final.

“I am proud of my players because they played really good,” the Dutchman said. “We actually dominated the whole game and created a lot of chances, but unfortunately could not score.

“Afghanistan is a vastly improved side and has some quality players. But we too are not lagging behind in any way. We will come back strongly.”

It was Afghanistan’s maiden victory in the Saff tournament, while India has won the event six times, including the last two in 2009 and 2011.

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and hosts Nepal were the other teams in the tournament, regarded as the symbol of football supremacy in South Asia.