Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kathmandu: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 participating Afghanistan started their South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship 2013 campaign promisingly by beating Bhutan 3-0 in their opening match in Group B on Monday.
The Maldives, who trounced Sri Lanka 10-0, top Group B followed by Afghanistan as both sides are taking the regional tournament as an opportunity to prepare for next year’s AFC Challenge Cup finals to be held in the Maldives. The winners of the AFC Challenge Cup qualify for the finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
Haroon Fakruddin broke the deadlock in the 37th minute while a goal each from Mustafa Azadzoy and Hashmatullah Barakzai respectively in the 76th and 88th minutes sealed a comfortable win for the previous edition’s runners up.
Afghanistan next play Sri Lanka while Bhutan face in-form Maldives in Group B on Wednesday.