Afghanistan coach Yousef Kargar was satisfied with his team winning their semi-final over hosts Nepal, but highly critical of the officiating in the match.
Kargar was clear with his thoughts. “It was stunning to see the referee award the penalty. It was not a penalty anyway, the whole of the stadium saw that, however we had the confidence to win the match and we made it with all our courage,” said Kargar.
He did however, praise the home team. “Nepal played good football. They have the speed and the courage but when we scored the goal,we grew up in confidence and were determined to defend it,” said Kargar, who was so angry when the penalty was called that he considered calling his team off the field.
Afghan goalkeeper Mansur Fagiryar proved to be Nepal’s savior. Not only did he save the contentious penalty but made a reflex save in the last minute of stoppage time from Rohit Chand’s header. “I was confident to save the penalty. I was not thinking of anything else, I did not want to think anything else and I congratulated the audience after I saved the penalty,” said Mansur, who was adjudged man of the match.
