Afghanistan is the new champion for SAFF 2013.

Thrashing defending champion India with 2 no score, Afghanistan became the new champion for the SAFF 2013 tournament, held in Kathmandu, Nepal. This is the first time they had won the prestigious football  tournament in this region: SAARC, which they joined 6 years before. Earlier they had defeated Nepal in a very competitive semifinal match here in Dasarath Rangashala, which provoked serious remarks against Nepali players especially Rohit Chand for missing two penalty in a row. With Victorious season this SAFF, Afghanistan were already speculated to be the winner having such energetic, good tackling players, and the added advantage of their height. India somehow managed to reach final, though lost to Nepal 2 1 in group stage match and played a better game today against Afghanistan. Skipper Sunil Chetri missed plenty of opportunities, before succumbing to the strong rival.

Team Afghanistan won $ 50,000 along with the titles and their goal keeper won the most valuable player of the year. Team Nepal won fair play award this SAFF with $10,000 (for each semifinalists), and defender Robin Shrestha won the most valuable player from Nepal this SAFF.

Team Nepal for SAFF 2013.

Star striker from Maldives Ali Ashfaq with goal score of 10, won the maximum scorer award. Football Academy heads from all SAARC nations, Youth and Sport Minister from Nepal, and Chairman of Interim Election Council (like Interim prime minister) Khil Raj regmi were present in the post match award distribution program.

It was already announced yesterday that the ninth edition of the SAFF will be held in India's capital New Delhi. So, until then, its me signing off for SAFF updates.

See photos of the games of SAFF 2013 here.
Nepal Vs India in pictures: SAFF 2013
Bangladesh Vs Nepal in Pictures: SAFF 2013.

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SAFF 2013 semifinal and final schedule

Though Afghanistan and Maldives leveled the same 7 points with no score match today at Dasarath Rangashala Stadium, Maldives topped the group due to huge no of goals (10 and 8) against Srilanka and Bhutan respectively. In an another match at Halchowk Stadium between the teams that were already out of the group stage level, Srilanka beat Bhutan 5 to 2. 

So the first Semifinal match between Group A topper Nepal and Group B runner up Afghanistan will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 6:30 pm Nepali time whereas second semifinal match between India and Maldives is scheduled on Monday, September 9, 2013, 6:30 pm Nepali time. And the winner from the matches will see each other on the final day, September 11, 2013, 6:30 pm, which decides the SAFF champion 2013. My belief for host Nepal is pretty strong and hope/pray for that to happen but it could be Maldives if its not our country. There are equal chances for the semifinal playing countries to be the winner, but it is obvious that Golden boot/ the maximum scoring player will be Ali Ashfaq from Maldives.

Here is the semifinal schedule of SAFF.

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SAFF championship Group A final points.

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Nepal Vs India in pictures: SAFF Championship 2013

In a crucial match today at Dasarath Rangashala Stadium, Nepal beats India 2 to 1 and advances to semifinal, topping the Group A and will meet either Afghanistan or Maldives in the first semifinal on Sunday, Sep 8th 6:30 pm Nepali time. Nepal could not make a breakthrough in the first half despite numerous opportunity from the Host backed with 18 thousand supporters. Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai scored in the 70th and 81st minute for Nepal while Syed Nabi scored in the injury time. Despite their lost, India also advanced to semifinal for their head to head advantage over Pakistan who defeat Bangladesh 2 to 1 in the another match held at Halchowk Stadium.
It is known that this win over India is after 20 years, which was in penalty shootout that time. Now, all we expect is similar win in the political scenario. Let there be no interference from the nearest neighbor in our internal matters, from positive change in behavior from our so called leaders.
See some more photos @ Nepal Vs Bangladesh in Pictures.

Here are some pictures from the today's match: Nepal Vs India.

 

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Victorious Nepal heads to semifinal after beating India. #SAFF

Host Nepal beat defending Champion India in the last game of their group stage match. Victorious Nepal won by 2 to 1 against the nearest neighbor, in a very crucial match at Dasarath Rangashala Stadium. Anil Gurung and Jumanu Rai scored for Nepal whereas Syed Nabi made a consolation goal in the injury time. With that, Nepal advances to Semifinal, leading the group A and will meet either Maldives or Afghanistan (Tomorrows match will decide) on Sunday, September 8th 2013. In an another match held in Halchowk Stadium, Pakistan beat Bangladesh 2 to 1 due to which India also advanced to Semis with head to head advantage over Pakistan ( not forgetting the own goal). 

Till the time I post some pictures from the match, here is our boys saluting the crowd.

See more pictures of the game at http://rdulal.blogspot.com/2013/09/nepal-vs-india-in-pictures-saff.html

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