Refree cost us the game, Afghanistan lost to India 4-0

Afghanistan lost the Final to India after the refree awarded Penalty to India. Afghanistan dominated the game and put complete pressure on Indian players in the first half, the starting ten minutes find Indian completely under pressure when Afghans had 100 % control of the ball.

The defending champions came alive only in the final 20 minutes after Afghanistan’s Hameedullah Yousefzari was sent-off under questionable circumstances.A penalty from Sunil Chhetri and goals from Clifford Miranda, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sushil Singh sealed the victory for the Indians.

It was Afghanistan who started on a brighter note as the very first minute needed a last ditch clearance from Gouramangi Moirangthem after Anthony Pereira gave away the ball and Balal Arezou was through.

The next minute it was Arezou again as he picked up a ball in the second minute from Ghulam Hoddein and his shot from the top of the box was stopped by Karanjit Singh.

The Men in Blue were finding it difficult to find their feet as they failed to stitch together a couple of passes inside the opposition half.

Around the half way mark of the first half, Yousef Mahsriqi released Arezou in the space between Gouramangi and Mahesh Gawli and the Afghan number nine’s shot was blocked by Karanjit once again.

It was around the hour mark that Jeje and Faisal Safa fought for the ball and Jeje fallen down inside the box and referee Sukhbir Singh awarded a soft penalty to India. In the aftermath, goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousufzari was given marching orders for pushing the referee.

Penaly was scored by Chetri and Afghans lost their morale after that when Indians scored three more goals in the last 20 minutes to win their sixth title.

Afghanistan who were really playing very well and dominating the game lost the game to India after Refree's decision which broken Afghans heart, Refree sided with India said our Coach and cost us to loose the game, we shall write to AFC about this and SAFF Chairman have said that he will take action about the match.

Afghanistan reached Final after win over Nepal at extra time 1-0

Afghanistan reached the Final of SAFF Championship for the first time in the history of the tournament after win over Nepal at extra time when Balal Arezou scored the only goal to take the team to the Final.

First half and Second half finished with out any goal from any side as both the teams played well and defended each striker to score goal.

Afghans had more chance of scoring where as the strikers found defenders in their way to score the goal. Hamedullah the goal keeper of our team did his best and defended very well some kicks of the Nepalese strikers. He is one of the best Goal keeper in the tournament.

It was after the half hour mark that Afghanistan had their first real chance when Belal Arezou missed a sitter when a good cross by Yousef Mashriqi was headed down by Sanjar Ahmadi who had the goal gaping in front of him but he takes too long to take a shot and the eventual one is too close to the Nepal goalkeeper.

Arezo, with five goals under his belt, saw his header come off the crossbar just before the half-time whistle as the Gorkhalis’ defenders struggled to keep them quiet.

Nepal began to play long balls into the opposition’s box but that ploy wasn’t aiding their cause given that they are shorter when compared to their counterparts.My shot went on the the hand of goal keeper and my team mate didn't get the chance to head the ball in to the goal.

It was in the 101st minute that saw a moment of brilliance from Sanjar Ahmadi as he drew three Nepali defenders toward himself and backheeled to release Arezou who made no mistake from inside the box to find the back of the net after having run a good 20 yards.

It was in the second half of the injury time that Biraj Maharjan earned his second yellow card to be sent off by referee Masoud Tufaylieh. From the ensuring free-kick, Arezou looked to curl it in but it went over the bar.Masaiullah Ibrahim fouled Sagar Thapa and the latter pushed the former which saw the two sides clash in the middle of the park.

Bikash Malla, from the bench, came onto the pitch to enter the fracas and was pulled away by his coach. The referee gave marching orders to a member of the Nepal coaching staff.Bijay Garung’s free-kick went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands in what was the last noteworthy piece of action.

The referee then shortly blew the final whistle to send the Afghanistani players, staff and fans into delirium as they booked a historic place in the final versus India on Sunday.

Victory over Bhutan is dedicated to the victims of Kabul Blast, Said our Coach Yusef Kargar

The blast that rocked Kabul on the occasion of Muharram, had an impact on the Afghanistan football team competing in the SAFF Championship here, as one of our team mate, Mustafa Madar, lost four family members in the tragic incident.

And moments after their 8-1 drubbing of Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here that took them to the last-four stage of the tournament, Afghanistan coach Mohammad Yusuf Kargar dedicated their victory to the blast victims.

As an act of gesture, every goal scored in today's victory , embraced Madar after every strike."Yesterday there was a blast, and more than 50 people died and four of them were family members of a player.

It was painful and we dedicate this victory to those victims who died in the blast," Kargar said.Madar, who was on the bench, was visibly upset. "I lost four cousins in the blasts yesterday with some as young as thirteen and fourteen years old. We were so happy when we came here but on hearing this sad news, I just cannot stop crying. Now I have to control myself as we have a chance in this tournament," Madar said.More than 50 people were reportedly killed in the bomb blast, which struck the city yesterday.

The blasts coincided with 'Ashura', which is the final day of Muharram wherein the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson is mourned by the Shia Muslims, and is marked by a national holiday.

Afghanistan vs Bhutan 8-1, the biggest win in the history of Afghans

Afghans booked their place in the semi Final after outplaying Bhutan 8-1. Afghanistan routed Bhutan 8-1 in their final group A fixture and enthralled the audience at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with their attacking brand of football.

Belal Arezou scored four goals and now has five to his name in the competition to lead the goalscoring charts.It took just four minutes for Afghanistan to go ahead as Ata Yamir Ali scored the quickest goal in this edition of SAFF Championship after the Bhutan custodian punched away a Mohammad Israfeel free-kick.

Six minutes later once again Bhattrai punches a Mohammed Israfeel free-kick and before he could collect it, Haroon Fakhruddin headed home to make it 2-0.

Belal Arezou, who had a couple of half chances, got his name on the scoresheet as he goes past a couple of defenders and places the ball to the right of the Bhutan goalkeeper in the 16th minute.

Thereafter it was Bhutan who scored their first goal in the competition when Chencho Gyeltshen as he cut past two Afghan defenders to shoot which gave goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousufzari no chance to save whatsoever.

Afghanistan resumed their string of attacks which were thwarted by Bhattrai and it was just a question of when the scoreline would be doubled.Just before the half-time, Belal Arezou beat the offside trap, and slotted home from inside the box.

Things went from bad to worse for Bhutan as skipper Sangay Khandu got his second yellow card and was given marching orders by referee Nivon Robesh. Djelaludin Sharityar scored from the spot leaving the goalkeeper flummoxed.

The chief orchestrator of the Afghan attacks, Yousef Mashriqi scored from a zero angle to at last get a goal for himself.Bhutan weren’t clearing the lines and as a result, the possession was once again handed over to the Afghans.

Arezou scored his fourth of the match after some brilliant work by Mohammad Israfeel whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper from close range but could do nothing as the Afghan number nine followed through to tap in.

It was the biggest win to Afghans in the history of Afghanistan Football and Booked their place in the Semi Final. Congratulation

Victory for Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka 3-1

Afghanistan get close to the semi final after going a goal down to Sri Lanka to come back and win 3-1 in their group A match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

Mi Mohamed Zain opened the goal for Sri Lanka but didnt last when Sanjar Ahmadi scored two goals for Afghanistan and Aya Yamrali the other one to finish the second half with a 3-1 victory for Afghans.

The opening goal came in the 17th minute as Hameedullah Yousufzari came off his line to clear the danger but he completely missed Mi Mohamed Zain as he just went past the former and placed the ball in an empty net.

It took just five minutes for Afghanistan to restore parity as Haroon Fakruddin ran with the ball on the left and finds Arezo who squares the ball, just when the Sri Lankan defenders expected him to cross, for Sanjar Ahmadi whose first time shot found the back of the net.

Just after the half hour mark, Sanjar Ahmadi scored his second of the match. Mohammad Israfeel ran down the line and his ball across the face of the goal saw Arezo fail to reach but Ahmadi popped up in time to score.

The third goal came in the 79th minute as Ata Yamir Ali, being left unmarked by the Sri Lankan defenders, rose to meet a Haroon Fakhrudin cornerkick.

It was a great victory for Afghans over Island Nation Sri Lanka, way to semis is now more clear and closer.

Afghanistan draw with the defending Champion in the First match of Group A

Afghanistan started its SAFF Championship first match with a draw against India. Defending champion India were shocked by the performance of Afghanistan. Match was played in Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today.

Afghanistan gave a sign of things to come within minutes of kick-off, Balal Arezo picking up a loose ball from Mahesh Gawli before slotting home from inside the box to stun the hosts and the sparse crowd supporting them.The lead was broken when Sunil chetri jumped highest and head in at the near post from a Steven Dias corner. 

Afghanistan, meanwhile, provided plenty of cause for concern. In the 16th minute, Mohammad Esrafil's long cross found Mohammad Yousef Mashriqi, but the US-based midfielder shot straight at Karanjit Singh.

First half of the match finished with no goal from any side but some noticing attack by Afghan strikers and midfielders. 

Second half started balancing both side. With no goal after 1 each, match went on towards the finish while meanwhile Afghan strikers continued on to attack to the Indian goal, but couple of opportunities missed. Over all it was a very good and outstanding performance by Afghan players. I have got injury in ankle. Out next match is vs Sri Lanka on Monday.

Afghans in New Delhi and Diplomats from Afghanistan embassy have shown their great support to the team, Afghans continued to wave the flag of the country and supported the team very well. It was a great day today.

Goals 


For India           1-1                  For Afghanistan


Sunil chetri 10 ' Minutes           Belal Arezou  5' Minutes

Afghanistan Squad for 2011 SAFF Championship

Here is the Final list of Squad announced by Mohammad Yosuef Kargar, The coach of Afghanistan Football Team For 2011 South Asian Football Federation Championship in India

Goalkeeper

1- Hamidullah Yousufzai (Forozi - Afghanistan)

22-Bashi Darman (Forozi - Afghanistan)

Defence

2- Moqaddar Qazizada (Forozi - Afghanistan)

3- Zohib Islam (Mumbai Fc - India)

4- Faisal Sakhizada (Ordu Kabul - Afghanistan)

5- Zakria Rezai (Ordu Kabul - Afghanistan)

16- Djalaludin Shariatyar (Ethnikos Achnas - Cyprus)

21- Mujtaba Faiz (Forozi - Afghanistan)

14- Yusef Samy (Bay Area Ambassodors - USA)

Midfield

6- Masood Hashimi (Ordu Kabul - Afghanistan)

7- Israfeel Kohistani (C) (Forozi - Afghanistan)

20- Wahid Nadim (Forozi - Afghanistan)

19- Masiullah Barakzai (Seramiasht - Afghanistan)

27- Ghulam Hazrat Niazi (Ordu Kabul - Afghanistan)

8- Mohammad Yusef Mashriqi (Brishna FC- USA)

18- Ahmad Arash Hatifie (USA)

17- Ata Yamrali (TSV Sasel- Germany)

Strikers

11- Hashmatullah Barakzai (Forozi - Afghanistan)

10- Sandjar Ahmadi (SC Vier- und Marschlande – Germany)

9- Belal Arezou (Asker FH - Norway)ay)

Dubai Photos, Preparation camp for SAFF 2011

Afghanistan drwn with India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka

Afghanistan drawn on group A of 10th Edition of South Asian Football Championship with India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The draw ceremony at New Delhi's Le Meridien Hotel was attended by a host of dignitaries including AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, SAFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco and Maldives Football Association General Secretary Shah Ismial.
 Matches will kick off on 2nd December starting from group B while group A will kick from 3rd December on Jawaharlal Nehru Staidum in New Delhi.

Group A	Group B
Afghanistan  India (1st Seed)  Sri Lanka  Bhutan	Bangladesh  Maldives (2nd Seed)  Pakistan  Nepal

Top Two Teams from every group will advance to knockout stage, Semi Final. and the winners of the semi final will fight for championship on the last day of the tournament 11th december

03 Dec 2011	Sri Lanka	v	Bhutan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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03 Dec 2011	India	v	Afghanistan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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05 Dec 2011	Sri Lanka	v	Afghanistan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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05 Dec 2011	India	v	Bhutan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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07 Dec 2011	Bhutan	v	Afghanistan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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07 Dec 2011	India	v	Sri Lanka	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

02Dec 2011	Bangladesh	v	Pakistan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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02 Dec 2011	Maldives	v	Nepal	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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04 Dec 2011	Bangladesh	v	Nepal	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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04 Dec 2011	Maldives	v	Pakistan	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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06 Dec 2011	Pakistan	v	Nepal	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

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06 Dec 2011	Maldives	v	Bangladesh	Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi