Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
New Delhi: Afghanistan gave India coach Savio Medeira plenty of food for thought ahead of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup after the Afghans held the 2011 SAFF Championship hosts to a 1-1 draw at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium.
Afghanistan took the lead after just four minutes when Norway-based striker Belal Arezou stole possession from veteran defender Mahesh Gawali only for Sunil Chhetri to earn a point for the defending SAFF Champions when he headed home Steven Dias' corner six minutes later.
Despite his goal, Chhetri looked out of sorts in Saturday's Group A opener having only just returned from Scotland, where he underwent a six-day trial with Glasgow Rangers alongside team-mate Jeje Lalpekhlua, although it was the Afghans pace and skill that caused plenty of problems for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup winners.
In the other Group A match Sri Lanka opened their campaign with a 3-0 win with Nipuna Dewinda Bandara scoring a brace (35th and 65th) after Mohamed Zain had broken the deadlock in the 29th minute.
Bhutan are the next SAFF Championship opponents for India, who kick-off their AFC Challenge Cup - Nepal 2012 campaign on March 9 against Tajikistan.