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Saturday, December 17, 2011

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.

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