SAFF Championship – Afghanistan Face Nepal in Semifinal

Afghanistan face home crowd in the first semifinal as they end up runner ups on goal difference sharing equal points with group leaders Maldives.

The 2013 semifinals will see similar semifinal fixture as previous edition as Afghanistan face group A winners Nepal and India will play record breaking Maldives.

The defending finalist Afghanistan got unlucky in the very beginning as they were first to create the threat to their opponent on a match with a slow tempo. Mashrigi met the easiest of a chance he would have ever got, but failed to get the slightest touch on the ball in Jamhour’s pass who makes it available after great control on a ball that arrived from their own half.

The four time finalist and one time winners Maldives in the other hand could have got ahead but unmarked Mohamed Umair fails to place the ball well tidy for a goal. His shot on target was a loose one as he places it directly to opponent keeper resulted on a fine ball from Shafi Ahmadi.

The first half lacked any serious attacks to mention as the teams ended labeled followed by few misses and midfield battle from either.

Afghanistan were again first to mess on their chance in the second half as Sanjar Ahmadi let go fine chance in 64^th minute. Maldivian keeper was up front to punch away a free kick ball from Afghanistan captain that landed on Ahmadi who skies the ball over the crossbar way too off target.

The best of action came in the last minute of the game when Maldives got one vs one chance in injury time on which man of the match Umair’s shot was blocked by Mansur Fagiryar. Afghanistan initiated quick counter attack to get two back to back attacks which were all victims of brilliant save from Maldivian keeper Imran Mohamed.

Afghanistan will play Nepal on Sunday in the first semifinal while the second semifinal will be played between defending champions India and group B winners Maldives on Monday.

Afghanistan vs Maldives Highlights