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2009 SAFF Cup: Nepal Thrash Afghanistan To Keep Semi Final Hopes Alive
Nepal came up with the goods to beat Afghanistan 3-0 and now have a chance of qualifying for the Semi Finals.
09-Dec-2009 5:17:22 PM
Nepal played some scintillating football to thrash minnows Afghanistan 3-0 to keep their Semi Final dreams alive.
Afghanistan though came flying out of the blocks and surprised Nepal a little. Nepali keeper Malla was forced into a save as early as the 4th minute as Hasmatullah Barzeki shot a well hit long ranger close enough for the keeper to save. Afghanistan maintained a lot of possession and used their size advantage well. As the game began to settle, Nepal started to get into their stride and started keeping the ball better. Nepali forward’s pace was making life difficult for Afghan defenders. But no real opportunity came as Afghanistan became content with going forward only on the counter attack. Nepal however looked dangerous but their play in the final third was letting them down. Afghanistan defenders kept snapping at the heels of the Nepalese and gave no room to play a pass in the final third. The first half however ended on an even note and ended at 0-0.
The second half started with Afghanistan making a double substitution and Nepal putting in Nirajan Khadka for Santosh Sahukhala. Nepal had lost some of the rhythm of the first half but just when the match began to get a bit boring, Nepal struck twice in two minutes. First Anil Gurung got onto a beautiful pass by Chetan Ghirmire and finished with aplomb. Almost straight from the restart, Nepal struck again as Nepal midfielders won the ball at half time and send a long ball which wasn’t dealt with by the Afghani defenders and Bijaya Gurung took the opportunity with both hands as he slotted the ball past the keeper. With a 2-0 lead, the Nepal players smelled blood as there was a now a glimmer a hope to qualify for the semi finals. Nepal now were on full throttle and Afghanistan were finding it difficult to string together a few passes.
On 72nd minute as Nepal entered the box, Afghanistan defenders looking to cut out a back pass let Anil Gurung have shooting space and the striker finished it beautifully to give Nepal a 3-0 lead. From then on it was all Nepal as they built attack after attack and Anil Gurung specially looking likely to bag a hat-trick. But it was not to be as the Afghanistan defense managed to not concede a 4th goal and the match ended 3-0 in favor of Nepal, giving them hope of qualifying for the Semi Finals if India manage to beat Maldives.
Goalscorers: Anil Gurung (Nepal) 57', 72' , Bijaya Gurung (Nepal) 58'
Venkatesha Sharma
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