Afghanistan stun India to win SAFF Football Title

The Indian football reached a new low yesterday, as they lost to Afghanistan 2-0 in the final to lose the SAFF Football Championship. India had won the last two editions of SAFF Cup, but failed to make the hat-trick of titles. In the group stage, India had lost to Nepal. The humiliating loss against Afghanistan, has raised serious questions about the state Indianof Indian Soccer.

Afghanistan waited for this moment of glory for two years. They were beaten by India in the final at the last edition in Delhi. A group of Afghan MPs had arrived in Kathmandu to cheer their team. One of them had announced an apartment and $25,000 for each player if they win the title.

Surprisingly, India’s star striker and regular captain Sunil Chhetri was not brought into attack by Coach Wim Koevermans till the 60th minute, which cost India dear in the end. For Afghanistan, Mustafa Azadzoy scored the first goal in the ninth minute, while Sandjar Ahmadi scored the second goal in the 62nd minute. India had beaten Maldives 1-0 in the semifinal to enter the final, while Afghanistan had beaten Nepal. This is the first major international football title for Afghanistan.