Afghanistan crush Bhutan in SAFF C’ship opener

KABUL on Monday trounced Bhutan 3-0 in their Group B match of the eighth South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Kathmandu, an official said.

In the utterly one-sided encounter at the APF Stadium this afternoon, Islam Amiri, Mustafa Azadzoy and Hashmatullah Barakzai scored one goal each for the winners.

The goals were scored in 37th, 76th and 88th minutes of the game, Afghanistan Football Federation official Ali Kazimi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Although the opposition won a penalty kick and a chance to reduce the margin, Afghan goalie Hamidullah Yousafzai saved it successfully. 

Renowned footballer Syed Hadi, pleased with the outcome of the match, said the national side could not exhibit the kind of tempo and moves he expected. 

The players lacked coordination and discipline, according to the expert, who assailed the coach for the team’s poor preparations for the opening duel.

Nepal are drawn alongside defending champion India, Bangladesh and Pakistan in Group A, while Afghanistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group B.

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