Sanjar Ahamdi struck a goal for Afghanistan after the ball slipped out of the hand of Nepal´s goal keeper Kiran Chemjong.
The match is largely seen as a ‘revenge’ match for Nepal. [break]
Nepal was defeated 1-0 by Afghanistan in extra time following a goalless draw in the regulation time during the seventh edition of the SAFF Championship.
"We are ready for the Afghanistan clash and will play to win. It is also a good opportunity for us to avenge the defeat in the last edition," Nepal´s skipper Sagar Thapa had said on Saturday.
Nepal has never reached the final in the past seven editions of the tournament, thus it will also be an opportunity for the home team to prove its mettle. "We also have an opportunity to create history," Thapa added.
Thapa had described consistency of the team and its formation, stubborn defense line-up, results during the group stage and above all, the support of enthusiastic fans as strong reasons to hope for success.
Head-to-head records
Date Result Events
2003 Nepal 4-0 Afghanistan 13th Asian Cup
2008 Nepal 2-2 Afghanistan Mardeka Cup (Invitational)
2009 Nepal 3-0 Afghanistan 6th SAFF Championship
2011 Nepal 1-0 Afghanistan AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers
2011 Nepal 0-0 Afghanistan 7th SAFF Championship, New Delhi
(Extra Time 0-1)
Nepal’s starting XI
Goalkeeper: Kiran Chemjong
Defender: Rabin Shrestha, Sagar Thapa, Sandeep Rai, Biraj Maharjan
Midfielder: Bhola Silwal, Raju Tamang, Rohit Chand, Bharat Khawas
Forward: Jumanu Rai, Anil Gurung
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