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Afghanistan off to winning start

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KATHMANDU: Afghanistan made a winning start defeating Bhutan 3-0 on Monday during their first group match of the Eighth SAFF Championship held at the APF grounds, Halchowk.



Skipper Harroh Fakhruddin, Mustafa Azadzoy and Hashmatullah Mohammad Jan netted one apiece for the last edition runner up that went into half time with 1-0 lead.

Skipper Fakhruddin gave lead to Afghanistan in the 37th minute just ahead from the goalline set by header of Jan in corner taken by Azadzoy. [break]



As promised by Bhutan´s coach Kazunori Ohara to come up with surprise result, Bhutan nearly equalized in the 74th minute. But skipper Passang failed to utilize golden chance failing to convert penalty. Golvesman Hameedullah Yousafzai denied the penalty awarded after foul on Passang by Ali Ahmed in the danger zone.



Afghanistan doubled the advantage one minute later after Azadzoy fired at the far post from the area. Jan wrapped up the match with his lone effort three minutes from time.

Bhutan´s Japanese coach expressed satisfaction at his side´s performance and opined that Afghans were physically, mentally, tactically and technically superior than his side.



Afghan coach Yousef Kargar opined that his side had difficulty playing in the natural turf as they are used to play in the artificial. "We did not get the desired score and some players arrived just today," Kargar said adding that his side will come up with different players in the upcoming matches.



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