KABUL (SW): Despite impressive performance at the group stages, and dominance in the final, Afghanistan lost final of the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Cup to the experienced Indian squad in a 2-1 thriller.
India defeated Afghanistan to lift the SAFF Cup for the seventh time. Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua scored for hosts after Zubayr Amiri gave the defending champions the lead in second half.
The India captain Chhetri scored the winner goal in the 10th minute of the extra-time. First half of the a remained goal-less as the visitor and defending champion Afghanistan remained dominant but failed to capitalize on at least one close chance against the hosts India.
India’s goal was attacked on a number of occasions in the first half but Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stood as a wall. In the last few minutes of the first half, Sandhu stopped Afghan captain Faysal Shayesteh’s stylish flick for a goal that could have arguably been declared the best of the tournament had it went through him.
Afghanistan has been phenomenal in their performance so far at the SAFF so far; over powering Bangladesh by 4-0, Bhutan by 3-0 and Maldives by 4-1 to reach the semi finals where it defeated Sri Lanka 5-0
India on the other hand has impressive attack, with the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Lallianzuala Chhangte all scoring so far. The Afghans, have scored the most goals (16) and conceded the least (1) in their four games so far. Forward Khaibar Amani leads the goal scoring charts, having found the back of the net on four occasions.
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