India-Afghanistan clash in SAFF Cup final

Prince GUNASEKERA

Defending champions India will confront Afghanistan in the final of the South Asian Football Federation Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on December 11 (Sunday).

Host nation India who have won the tournament five times had an easy three-one win over the Maldives in the semi-final played yesterday while Afghanistan had the honour of entering the final for the first time by edging out Nepal by 1-0 in the other semi-final yesterday.

India’s skipper Sunil Chettri was his country’s match winner by scoring two goals which brought his tally of goals in the tournament to six which put him in line to win the Golden Boot Award. The other goal for India was scored by Rahim Nabi which enabled India to enter the final for the eighth time.

The Indians led 1-0 at the breather. The solitary goal for the Maldivians was scored by Sharmvel Cassim in the 59th minute.

In the semi-final between Afghanistan and Nepal there was no scoring during normal time.

Then in extra time Afghanistan’s Balal Arsu scored the winning goal to the joy of his team-mates.

Afghanistan’s victory was dedicated to the 50 Afghans who died in the bomb blast in Kabul including four members of mid-fielder Mustapha Mader who played in yesterday’s semi-final despite the tragedy.