The Lions of Khorasan exhibited superb fighting spirit throughout the first semifinal to beat hosts Nepal 1-0 and reach their consecutive final of the of the Saff Championship at the Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu yesterday.
Afghanistan’s temperament and commitment made all the difference in the game where Nepal also gave more than their hundred percent only to be numbed. They lost their defender Farzad Muhaiuddin due to a head injury and fought out the seven minute stoppage time with sheer bravery.
Cheered up by a vociferous crowd Nepal mounted all the pressure in the initial minutes and almost took the lead in the very first minute when Bharat Khawas tried to utilise the gap between the side post and Afghan goalkeeper Masur Fagiryar from 25 yards out, but the Afghan goalie managed to make the ground with a full-fledged dive to his right.
The Afghan goalie’s often out of position stance inspired Nepalese defender Sandip Rai to sent a looping 30 yarder, but Mansur Fagiryar tipped it over the crosspiece again.
The 20-thousand strong crowd were stunned to see Nepal concede a goal in the 10th minute. It was an all German based player combination with Nepalese goalie Kiron Chemjong also playing a role. Mustafa Azadzoy’s curling cross slipped out from the gloves of Kiron and Sanjar Ahmadi kept his cool to snap the ball and slam it in the middle of the net.
Nepal, however, looked unharmed and went all out in search of the equaliser. Khawas was tormenting the flanks while Jumanu Rai cut out a good number of moves, but the Nepalese forwards often saw their efforts strike the foots of their opponent defenders or the ball remaining off target. The hosts lacked a clinical finisher while the Afghan’s enjoyed the height advantage in the aerial route.
The atmosphere turned hot in the 37th and 38th minute when Mustafa Azadzoy made another run down the right flank and with Kiron at his mercy blasted the ball over the woodwork.
In the very next counter attack Khawas shrugged off his marker with a fierce swerve to put a cross to unmarked Anil Gurung, but Mansur was equally good at his task tipping the ball away.
Nepal came out firing in all cylinders after the interval with Khawas paving the way for Jumanu Rai in the 52nd minute, but Jumanu again failed to beat Mansur from the middle of the box.
Nepal mesmerised the Afghan defence with countless attacks, but could not score a goal. However, in a stunning act in the 85th minute the Saudi referee gave a penalty in favour of Nepal that took everyone by surprise. Bimal Ghanrti Magar threw himself at Mansur after the goalie had already gripped the ball and instead of cautioning Bimal the referee awarded a penalty.
Rohit Chand came forward to take the kick and missed it, but he was asked to retake it as the referee spotted the keeper came out to far ahead. Second time around Rohit’s shot went straight into the hands of Mansur denying the hosts of the much needed equaliser.
The Afghan players put their all to defend the lead and eventually earned their way to their second consecutive final of the prestigious event.