SAFF Championship – Journey Ends for Hosts Nepal

Nepal Football team was unfortunate to get down in Semifinals for the second time in a row as Rohit Chand was unfortunate to miss closing minute penalty.

An early goal from Sanjdar Ahmadi helped Afghanistan edge pass hosts Nepal as the 10th minute goal from Yousef Kargar’s side helped Afghanistan to enter the SAFF championship finals second time in a row.

Nepal started better of two sides when Bharat Khawas first tested on opposition keeper just after the kick off and his shot was tipped off from the man of the match Fagiryar who  made an early save for Nepal’s corner. Sandip Rai tested opponent keeper from his own half after Fagiryar was found off position, he hard saved the ball to deny the goal.

Nepal were unfortunate to concede an early goal as Sanjdar Ahmadi scored on a chance he was gifted from Kiran Chemjong who could not grab the cross on his fist.

Nepal continued to put pressure on the opponents through some long balls but they failed on a test to established opponent defense as few long crosses which were all cleared by tall Afghanistan defenders.

Nepal had great chance to find the equalizer before the end of first half whistle as Bharat Khawas’ cross was cleared before it could reach Anil or Jumanu, however the ball falls on Biraj whose 25 yards shot was punched away by the Afghanistan custodian.

Nepal started the second half in attacking note , however failed to escape offside trap getting into offside for four times in first 5 minutes.

Coach Jack Stefanowski later introduced Bimal whose presence uplifted the hopes in the crowd and changed the momentum of the game. Bimal was quick to show his presence as he moved forward with a ball but his final delivery was blocked by an opponent defense.

While Nepal missed couple of chances, Afghanistan came through a bad moment when Farzad Ataee was rushed to the hospital. Afghanistan did not loose focus and they almost doubled the lead, but Arezou’s head forward was not well enough to beat Kiran.

Nepal were gifted with a controversial penalty which Afghanistan official denied, however Rohit Chand failed to convert penalty , although he was allowed to retake as Afghanistan players crossed the line before the whistle was blown. Rohit made similar kind of limped shot which Afghanistan curator Fagiryar  dived to his left to save Chand. for second time in one occasion.

The final shot of the game, which could probably have changed the emotion, went wide as Khawas headed off the target on a chance which could have certainly leaded the game to the extra time.

Afghanistan will face the winner of India vs Maldives match which will be played tomorrow.

Match Highlight :