In the eventful day, Nepal conceded a silly goal in the early moments and wasted equalizing chance after failing to convert late penalty, surrendering to the Afghans. [break]
In the last edition, Nepal was defeated 1-0 by Afghanistan in New Delhi in extra time after a goalless draw, the first ever defeat of Nepal at the hand of Afghans. Similarly, Sunday´s defeat was the second defeat of home team against Afghanistan and the first defeat in the Eight SAFF, which sent Nepal crashing out.
Afghanistan will play the final on Wednesday against the winner of the second semifinal match. Defending champion India will take on Maldives in the other semifinal match.
Afghanistan took lead against home team in the 11th minute capitalizing on a blunder by glovesman Kiran Chemjong. Sanjar M Ahmade scored without much effort silencing home crowd after Chemjong dropped Amiruddin Mohammad Anwar´s strike taken from the left flank.
Besides conceding an easy goal, Nepal wasted golden chance of equalizing in the 88th minute after midfielder Rohit Chand´s two consecutive penalty attempts were denied by prolific custodian Mansur Fagiryar. Though Fagiryar saved his first penalty, it was declared invalid by the Saudi Arabian referee ASAM Makhadmeh. In the retake, Chand again fired in the same direction, the bottom right, proving the long stretch diving Fagiryar anticipation correct. Nepal had won the penalty after Bimal Gharti Magar, a 61st minute replacement of midfielder Raju Tamang, was fouled in the danger zone by Fagiryar in his bid to clear Sandip Rai´s freekick.
Besides this, Afghan custodian Fagiryar also made some heroic saves to prevent home team from victory. "Penalty is a 50/50 chance. I think I was lucky to have saved the penalty and thank God for that," Fagiryar said after the match.
"The result was very disappointing and it was not a lucky night for us," Nepal´s coach Jack Stefanowski said at the post match conference. "But we should continue the build-up. We beat some good teams in the tournament and defeating India was a good sign."
Afghanistan’s goalkeeper Mansur Fagiryar (R) clears the bal as Nepali players (red) attempt to score during their SAFF Championship
semifinal match at Dasharath Stadium on Sunday. (Bikash Karki/Republica)
The home team, backed by noisy home supporters, made a dull start. But Nepal looked better in the later stage creating some chances. However, none of them could be utilized.
"We did not make good start though we got some momentum in the second half. But we failed to score," said Stefanowski.
It was Nepal which tested Afghan custodian Fagiryar early in the first minute. But he punched off the target strike by Bharat Khawas. In the ninth minute, Fagiryar quickly took back his position and punched Sandip Rai´s freekick taken from center to safety.
In the 38th, Anil Gurung headed inches wide from the area in Raju Tamang´s corner and a moment later custodian Fagiryar punched Bharat Khawas´ cross before striker Gurung in the right position met it. In the 38th as well, Afghanistan´s Mohammad Yusef Mashrigi fired inches above the bar from the right flank. A minute later, Fagiryar again denied Biraj Maharjan´s quick scorcher from the edge.
Eight minute into the second half, Bhola Silwal´s shot from edge was denied by Fagiryar and a minute later skipper Sagar Thapa´s header went off the target in Raju Tamang´s corner. In the 65th, Gharti Magar fired above the bar from the edge.
In the 80th Belal Arezo´s diving header for Afghanistan in Mustafa Azadzoy cross was off the target. Gurung responded for Nepal in the 84th, but only to end up heading wide in Sandeep Rai´s freekick.
Nepal could have equalized in the last moment of seven minutes stoppage time, but custodian Fagiryar again remained obstacle for the home team, making a spectacular dive to prevent Biraj Maharjan´s header from the crowded box in Gharti Magar´s freekick.
Meanwhile, the home supporters repeated their unsporting behavior once again on Tuesday as well hurling bottles, pebbles and mobile phones targeting Afghani players and officials.
Afghanistan coach Yousef Kargar opined that the penalty awarded to Nepal was a wrong decision by the referee. Kargar also said that he was confident of his side beating home team following the lead. He lauded Nepal as good team with lot of energy.
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