Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) Afghanistan look good to make the semifinals after rallying to beat Sri Lanka 3-1 in the SAFF Cup football tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Monday.

Afghanistan, ranked 178th, came from a goal down to put it across the island nation, who are two rungs above them at 176. Having shared points with India in their opening game, the Afghans have to play Bhutan in the last pool match and a draw will see them through to the last four from Group A.

Sri Lanka took the lead in the 17th minute through Mi Mohammad Zain, but a brace by Sanjar Ahmadi (22nd, 36th) put Afghanistan ahead and a Ata Yamir Ali header in the 79th minute proved decisive.

Afghanistan’s impressive passing game kept Sri Lanka under pressure, though they looked like falling in arrears in the fifth minute. Goalkeeper Sujan Perera saved the situation by punching away skipper Ruwanthilaka’s header off a corner-kick.

Sri Lanka got the breakthrough in the 17th minute after a faulty back-head by a defender forced goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousufzari to leave his charge and Zain slotted it past him.

Afghanistan didn’t wait long for the equaliser, which came five minutes later after California-based winger Mohammad Yousef Mashriqi laid the ball inside the box for Sanjar to bulge the net with a power-packed right-footer.

Afghanistan launched a wave of attacks and broke the deadlock in the 36th minute as Mohammad Esrafil made a solo run down the left and made a square pass, which was missed by Mashriqi but a sliding Sanjar came from behind to find the net.

Afghanistan added the third in the 79th minute with Yamir Ali nodding in a fine flag-kick from Haroon Fakrudin, who plays for India’s I-League club Mumbai FC.