Afghans shock India to win first international football trophy

Friday, 13 September 2013 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Afghanistan has won its first international football trophy, beating India 2-0 in the South Asian Football Federation Championship final. Afghanistan was already one goal up before half-time, with Sanjar Ahmadi doubling the lead in the second half.

The fiercely competitive match was watched by an estimated 5,000 fans at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. Afghanistan has only recently re-emerged on the world football scene after decades of war and insurgency. There were scenes of celebration and joy on the streets of Kabul, where people crammed into restaurants and cafes to watch the final. The Afghan team suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to India when the two sides met in the 2011 final in Delhi. India, ranked 145th in the world compared to Afghanistan’s 139th, has won the event six times.