Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kabul: Shaheen Asmayee scored twice in extra-time to defeat Simorgh Alborz and claim the 2013 Afghan Premier League (APL) title.
Both sides hit the woodwork in a hard-fought first half at a packed AFF Stadium before Hashmatullah Barakzai, who scored twice in Afghanistan’s stunning SAFF Championship 2013 victory, put Shaheen Asmayee 1-0 up six minutes after the interval.
With ten minutes of the final left to play Barakzai had the chance to extend the Falcons’ advantage when Shaheen Asmayee were awarded a penalty but Simorgh Alborz keeper Hassan Koshani kept out the international striker’s weak spot-kick.
Simorgh, who were defeated 2-1 by Toofan Harirod in last year’s APL final, made the most of the miss and equalised through leading scorer Fayaz Azizi in the 90th minute to send the match into extra-time.
Shaheen regained the initiative and took the lead three minutes into the first-period of extra-time through a penalty from substitute Mahmood Azad, before the influential Barakzai, who had been fouled by Koshani to earn the penalty, sealed the win with his second and Shaheen’s third in the 114th minute.
Photo: AFP