SAFF Soccer Championship

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KARACHI, Dec 7: Pakistan opened their campaign at SAFF soccer championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka thanks to an Imran Hussain first-half strike at People’s Sports Complex on Wednesday.

It was free-flowing and attacking football in the first half from Pakistan that was instrumental in home side’s domination against Sri Lanka as the visitors seemed helpless against home team’s continuous inroads.

Although Sri Lankans had claimed they were undeterred by Fulham defender Zesh Rehman’s presence, their poor attack was ineffective against neat defensive work by the English Premier League player who was delighted on making international debut helping Pakistan to victory.

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India 2…………………Nepal 1

Bangladesh 3…………..Bhutan 0

2nd day play

Keep it up :jhanda:

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Essa’s goal books Pakistan a place in last four
Pakistan 1……………….Afghanistan 0

Maldives 2……………….Sri Lanka 0

KARACHI, Dec 9: Mohammad Essa’s stunning free kick booked Pakistan a semifinal berth at SAFF soccer championship after a slim 1-0 triumph over a fighting Afghanistan at People’s Sports Complex on Friday.

By no means it was an easy sailing for the home side as Afghans surprisingly put a fighting display in a total contrast to their 9-1 loss against Maldives in the first match.

Pakistan indeed were better team but poor finishing made the task of winning a difficult one.

As instructed by coach Salman Ahmed Sharida, Pakistan rattled the opponents with a blistering second-minute attack. Zahid Hameed set up Imran Hussain who found the net before being ruled offside.

Undeterred, the Afghans retaliated with a counter-attack the next minute. Sayed Bashir Azimi tried to drill home from 16 yards only to see Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan making the save.

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Maldives become Group ‘A’ champions

Pakistan 0 Maldives 0
Afghanistan 2 Sri Lanka 1

KARACHI, Dec 11: A string of gilt-edged chances missed by goal-shy Pakistan resulted in a 0-0 draw that helped the Maldives become Group ‘A’ champions on better goal average at SAFF championship on Sunday. Home side virtually performed the way it did against Sri Lanka and then Afghanistan as they came out in the first half with blistering attacks only to lose the pace and bite in the second session at People’s Sports Complex.

“We were just trying to score goals to finish as group champions but we failed. I have just taken over the charge. Things will take time to settle down. I am now looking for semifinals no matter who the opponents are. Zesh is the best defender we have,” Pakistan coach Salman Ahmed Sharida told a post-match press conference.

However, Maldives coach Stoykov Iordan said: “We did not want to take risks, while Pakistan took risks. We wanted to avoid injuries. That’s why we did not play aggressive.”

Maldives, who mauled Afghanistan 9-1 in the opener, were shocked when Pakistan pinned the visitors under a fourth-minute onslaught, Mohammad Naveed Akram challenging the Maldives goalkeeper Imran Mohamed with a long, dangerous ball that went across the face of the goal.

Mohammad Essa, the star Pakistan striker, cleverly set up Adeel who was guilty of missing the target from close as his drive crossed the back-line off Imran Mohamed legs in the 13th minute.

Seconds later, Adeel was again tormenting Maldives defences as he dodged past two defenders before cutting in left end releasing a back pass that Essa failed to collect.

Abdul Aziz made deep inroads twice but was restricted by some tight marking by the Maldives defenders. Essa threatened the Indian Ocean islanders and wasted the chance after his drive trickled down the left.

Like in the previous matches, inspiring Fulham defender Zesh Rehman prowled into the opposition’s goal area to poach a goal on corners or free kicks. Rehman tried through head but failed to make contact with a curling Imran Niazi free kick in the 29th minute.

It was in the 38th minute that Maldives made a real attempt through Thariq Ahmed whose long-range drive sailed over the crossbar.

The match saw couple of entertaining duels between statuesque Rehman and Ashfaq Ali of Maldives who tumbled over the British-born Pakistani near back-line, both struggling for possession in the 38th minute.

Once the first half was over, Pakistan lost the vigour after breather, although they kept on pressing for the elusive goal that never came.

Rehman showed his class when he timely cleared the ball to safety following a Gasim Shamveel drive that might have been dangerous in the 53rd minute. With Maldives slighting putting pressure on Pakistan, Rehman was again on alert when he averted the danger with a header on an Umer Ali effort in the 60th minute.

Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan truly deserved kudos for he produced a brilliant save off a rasping along-the-carpet 18-yard opportunist drive by Ahmed in the 64th minute.

Substitute Mohammad Imran of Pakistan was yellow carded for rough tackle on Jameel Mohamed in the 67th minute, while Imran Niazi’s attempt went through defender’s leg but missed the target.

Referee Afsharian Khodadad of Iran had to come near touchline to ask Maldives coach Iordan, who was shouting orders while standing, to sit on the bench three minute before time.

Earlier, in the first upset of the championship, underdogs Afghanistan secured their first-ever victory in the event since their inclusion in 2003, with a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka.

Although the results did not make much of a difference as both sides were out of contention, the triumph gave the Afghans much-needed boost.

Hafizullah Qadami opened the scoring on a volley kick in the 35th minute before Abdul Maroof Gullestani made it 2-0 in the 41st minute.

Sri Lanka got their consolation through a G.P.C Karunaratne lob that sailed over Afghan goalkeeper Shamsuddin Amiri five minutes from time.

Monday’s fixtures: Nepal v Bhutan at 3.15pm; Bangladesh v India at 6.00pm.

Points table Group ‘A’ (team, played, won, drawn, lot, goals for, goals against, points):

Maldives 3 2 1 0 11 1 7

Pakistan 3 2 1 0 2 0 7

Afghanistan 3 1 0 2 3 11 3

Sri Lanka 3 0 0 3 1 5 0

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SAFF Soccer: Bangladesh to face hosts in semifinal

Bangladesh 1…………….India 1

Nepal 3…………………..Bhutan 1

After the group matches conclusion, Group ‘A’ runners-up Pakistan will face defending champions Bangladesh in the semifinals, while India will take on Group ‘A’ champions Maldives on Wednesday.

Tuesday will be rest day. The semifinals will be played on Wednesday.

Come on :jhanda:

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So if Pakistan beats the Bengali bretheren and India beats the Maledives, we would have a dream final:

Pakistan vs. India

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But unfortunately umer bhai we lost to Bengali Bros :frowning:

Pakistan pay dearly for missed opportunities

KARACHI, Dec 14: Goal-shy Pakistan ended their SAFF soccer championship campaign with a 1-0 loss as Bangladesh sneaked into the final courtesy Mohammad Sujan’s late first half spot kick at People’s Sports Complex on Wednesday. Three-time champions India, who squeezed past Maldives 1-0 earlier in the other semifinal, will face title-holders Bangladesh in Saturday’s final at 6.00pm.

Sorely missing their key striker Imran Hussain who got one-match suspension after his second yellow card against Maldives, Pakistan dominated the match with attacking soccer, but failed chiefly because of poor finishing.

After mostly keeping the ball in possession for some 15 minutes, Bangladesh were rattled when Pakistan made a dangerous incursion through Farooq Shah who was effectively checked by a defender in the box in the 18th minute.

Pakistan goalkeeper Jaffar Khan was quick to act when Bangladesh’s Mohammad Arman corner threatened the home side. Relying on star striker, Mohammad Essa Pakistan pressed for the opening goal, only to see Essa firing wide.

Bangladesh retaliated when Mohammed Rehman Munna tested Jaffar with an 18-yarder before Ariful Kabir Farhad zeroed in with a glancing header that was well taken by the goalie.

Despite being tightly marked by Bangladesh defenders, Essa again came close to scoring in the 33rd minute. The striker could have opened the scoring had he not taken too much time to act as Hasan Al Mamun dispossessed him with a great tackle.

Zesh Rehman headed a Zahid Hameed free kick but was unfortunate to hit a defender’s leg in the 35th minute. While Pakistan were on the attack, Bangladesh were also quick to react through Farhad’s 18-yard drive that sailed over the bar.

Banking on young Abdul Aziz, who was filling in Imran’s place, Pakistan made some darting runs but were badly let down by wayward shooting.

Adeel Ahmad operating down the right with probing runs cleverly set up Aziz who shot over the woodwork, while on the other end Alfaz Ahmed of Bangladesh came into action from the edge of the box, sending the ball over the bar.

While he was spearheading the attack, Aziz was also bolstering the defence by falling back to join the defenders. It was in the first half injury-time that Bangladesh were awarded a penalty kick after Aziz seemed to have hacked down Firoj Muhmud Hossain in the box.

Sujan made no mistake in putting his side ahead.

Pakistan got to an aggressive start after re-start, Adeel’s 20-yard drive saved by Bangladesh goalkeeper Aminul Hoque six minutes into second session.

Farooq twice came near equalising but wasted opportunities. Essa provided perfect pass, but Farooq squandered the promising opening, although Hoque was beaten in the 58th minute. Ten minutes later, Farooq ghosted past two defenders before sending the ball across the back-line.

Pakistan lost the bite and firepower in the later stages of the second half, although they made several substitutions but could not score the elusive equalizer. Zahid, who was yellow carded for rough play in the 69th minute, had the time and opportunity but late action deprived him of possession in the 75th minute.

On the other end, Bangladesh tried to increase their lead with Arman shooting a 20-yarder that went across the face of the goal.

Earlier, India did not face the kind of resistance being expected from the high-flying Maldives who fluffed golden chances in the first half.

Maldives, who spent most of the time and energy on marking Baichung Bhutia, tried through Ashfaq Ali and Thariq Ahmed who missed golden chances in the 32nd minute.

India went 1-0 up when a Climax Lawrence corner was slotted home by N.S. Manju after a mix-up by Maldives defenders in the 38th minute.

Lawrence, who received a yellow card in the 65th minute, was on target with header but was ruled offside in the 70th minute, while Abdul Hakkim found the cage off a lob but was also signalled for offside.

India will be missing Mehtab Hossain in the final after the player got his second yellow and a one-match suspension.

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who won?

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India outclass Bangladesh to regain title

KARACHI, Dec 17: India exacted a sweet revenge when they regained SAFF soccer championship crown in style after a deserved 2-0 victory over goal-shy holders Bangladesh at People’s Sports Complex on Saturday.

The victory not only gave the Indians the coveted title for the fourth time, they avenged their 2-1 semifinal loss to Bangladesh in 2003 in Dhaka that had ended their domination in the competition since its inception in 1993.

India, who were the 1993, 1997 and 1999 winners before Saturday’s facile triumph, pocketed $75,000 apart from glittering trophy received by captain Baichung Bhutia, while Bangladesh got $25,000 runners-up prize by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in front of almost packed-to-capacity crowd.

Cautious with each other, the two sides were on the defensive for at least 12 minutes, remaining confined to the midfield most of the time. It was in the 13th minute that Indians penetrated Bangladeshi box only to see Syed Rahim Nabi sending the ball wide off target.

The Bangladeshis, who grabbed the 2003 title with 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Maldives, retaliated two minutes later, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan missing the opening and Alfaz hitting a defender from 18 yards.

India had real goal-scoring opportunity in the 27th minute but Climax Lawrence wasted a Venka Tesh pass, sending the ball across the face of the goal.

Eagerly looking for the opening goal, the Indians were involved in some reckless shots that did not yield results. Ajayan K. N came into action but his shot sailed over the bar, while Rajeeb Ahmed set up Nabi who failed despite being unmarked in the 31st minute.

India eventually got what they were looking for in the 34th minute when Mehraj Uddin drilled home from the edge of the box after a scramble involving Bhutia and Steven Benedict Dias.

The goal proved a wake-up call for Bangladesh as they counter-attacked the next moment, Ariful Kabir Farhad cleverly assisting Alfaz who missed the sitter.

Mahesh Gawli of India was yellow carded in the 40th minute for faking injury after the player went to the touchline and wished to join the team-mates immediately.

While the first half entered into injury–time, the Indians were still lurking to poach their second. They came near doubling the lead but Venka Tesh backpass was shot by Mehraj Uddin over the woodwork from long range.

The Indians mounted pressure soon after lemons with Mehraj Uddin challenging Bangladesh defenders and goalkeeper Aminul Hoque with a rising drive that sailed over the target in the 50th minute.

Farhad ghosted past a defender from the left side only to fluff the promising opening, sending the drive over the crossbar in the 73rd minute.

Undaunted, India grabbed the second in the 81st minute when substitute Abdul Hakkim squared an inch-perfect pass and best-player-of-the-championship Bhutia’s clinical strike finished off the job, beating Hoque all ends up.

While the Bangladeshis were a disjointed lot, especially after conceding the second goal, the Indians stepped up pressure with regular attacks that could not move the scoreboard.

Soon after second goal, Lawrence perfectly fed Mehraj Uddin whose lob could not produce results, while Hakkim’s dipping header struck a defender in the goal area in the 85th minute.

It was the last chance for Bangladesh to reduce the margin in the injury-time but Kanchan squandered an Alfaz free kick.

Bhutan were awarded Fairplay Trophy.

What are your dreams ?
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oh uh..Poor Banarjee…gold medal bee dekhaya Pakistan Airport Authorities ko but still, joottay parr gayay…very bad…I protest…

PK Banerjee thrown out of Pak airport

The Indian football team’s celebrations in Karachi on Saturday after winning the SAFF tournament turned sour on Sunday morning when team manager PK Banerjee was prevented from leaving for Delhi by the Pakistan authorities at Karachi airport.

Banerjee, a former India captain and an Asian Games gold medallist, says he was literally thrown out of the airport even after being issued a boarding card. “I was told that my visa was not in order and was subjected to very rude behaviour,” he said.

“The kind of which I had never faced in my life,” PK Bannerjee added.

Banerjee, who was to arrive in Delhi on Sunday before leaving for the US to join his daughter, said he was told that his visa required reporting to the local police. As he had failed to do so, he was prevented from boarding the flight.

“The immigration officer was quite rude and told his men to throw me out of the airport,” he said. “I explained my case to him and even showed him the gold medal the Pakistani PM had presented me with on Saturday night, but the officer told me to ‘just get out’ of the airport.”

While Banerjee returned to the hotel, the Indian footballers — who are to leave on Monday — became anxious that they too might be subjected to similar humiliation at the airport.

A senior Indian footballer said from Karachi: “Pakistan visas need quite a few formalities to be fulfilled. But no one in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) told us about all these things. It’s total confusion in India.” Banerjee said he was shocked that no official from the Indian High Commission even had the courtesy to meet the players after they won the title.

“Pakistan Football Federation officials too were unavailable to help out,” he said.

AIFF president Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said he would take it up the matter with the PFF authorities. “This is shocking,” he said. “I’ll request them to identify the erring officer at the airport and take necessary action. They cannot treat our national team like this.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1576992,0008.htm?headline=Indian~team~manager~thrown~out~of~Pak~airport

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^^ I have also experienced the "hospitality" of immigration officers at Pakistani airports. It's not a pleasant experience, I can tell you.

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well the championship was a successful one... india won...
and it also tells the karachi is safe city for international matches as... pakistan, india,
afghanistan, nepal, bhutan, bangladesh, maldive & srilanka football team was here...

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I agree Umer. I dont understand what is to be happy about here. I guess it is the person at receiving end who happens to be Indian. Some one has to be sick to get fun out of this incident.

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