Afghanistan dash India's hat-trick hopes, win SAFF title
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- By Football Fans Manipur
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Kathmandu, September 11: India's bid to win a hat-trick of SAFF Football Championship titles went up in smoke on Wednesday as they lost 0-2 to Afghanistan in the final in Kathamandu.
The Afghans, who won their maiden SAFF trophy exacted a sweet revenge for their humiliating 0-4 loss against the same opponents in New Delhi two years back.
The winners were helped by strikes from Mustafa Azadzoy (8th minute) and Sanjar Ahmadi (63rd minute).
India coach Wim Koevermans's gamble of leaving out regular captain Sunil Chhetri from the starting XI didn't exactly pay off although the efforts from Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpeklhua were praiseworthy.
It was their inexperience on big occasion that cost India dearly as they fumbled repeatedly on the opposition's attacking third.
For Afghanistan, it was a moment they had waited for two years having found the defeat in Delhi a hard to swallow.
Just like their semi-final match, Afghanistan got the much-needed goal as early as the eighth minute when right wing back Mustafa Hadid beat opposition left-back Syed Rahim Nabi as he got a lot of open space down wide right to enter the penalty box and passed it on to Belal Arezo.
Belal managed to hoodwink stopper back Arnab Mondal with a pass for Mustafa Azadzoy to slot it past Subrata Paul. India played better after conceding the goal as there were a flurry of attacks with some fine build-ups with assistance from Mehtab Hossain in the central midfield and Farncisco Fernandes down right.
The Sport Ministry has decided to form a steering committee to monitor and coordinate the work related to major international sports events till the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"To monitor and coordinate the work relating to major international sports events, upto Olympic Games 2020, it has been decided by the Government of India to constitute a Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports," Ministry said in a release.
The Steering Committee will be responsible for deciding core probable, reviewing performance of the core probable every three months for deciding who needs to be retained or dropped or added.
The Committee will also take up cases where for any reason; a decision cannot be taken by SAI DG.
It will also be responsible for taking up the cases where quick decisions are required on the part of the Ministry including arrangements of additional funds.
Besides, any other activity deemed necessary in connection with preparation for major international sporting events will be taken by the Committee.
The Steering Committee will be headed by Secretary (Sports) and Executive Director (Teams), SAI will be the convener, while the other members will include SAI Director General, Joint Secretary (Sports), Joint Secretary (Development), Government Observer for the concerned discipline, the release said.
Also a representative of concerned National Sports Federation(s), a representative of India Olympic Association and any other member to be co-opted as required and Chief Coach of concerned discipline(s) will be part of the Steering Committee.
The Afghans, who won their maiden SAFF trophy exacted a sweet revenge for their humiliating 0-4 loss against the same opponents in New Delhi two years back.
The winners were helped by strikes from Mustafa Azadzoy (8th minute) and Sanjar Ahmadi (63rd minute).
India coach Wim Koevermans's gamble of leaving out regular captain Sunil Chhetri from the starting XI didn't exactly pay off although the efforts from Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpeklhua were praiseworthy.
It was their inexperience on big occasion that cost India dearly as they fumbled repeatedly on the opposition's attacking third.
For Afghanistan, it was a moment they had waited for two years having found the defeat in Delhi a hard to swallow.
Just like their semi-final match, Afghanistan got the much-needed goal as early as the eighth minute when right wing back Mustafa Hadid beat opposition left-back Syed Rahim Nabi as he got a lot of open space down wide right to enter the penalty box and passed it on to Belal Arezo.
Belal managed to hoodwink stopper back Arnab Mondal with a pass for Mustafa Azadzoy to slot it past Subrata Paul. India played better after conceding the goal as there were a flurry of attacks with some fine build-ups with assistance from Mehtab Hossain in the central midfield and Farncisco Fernandes down right.
The Sport Ministry has decided to form a steering committee to monitor and coordinate the work related to major international sports events till the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"To monitor and coordinate the work relating to major international sports events, upto Olympic Games 2020, it has been decided by the Government of India to constitute a Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports," Ministry said in a release.
The Steering Committee will be responsible for deciding core probable, reviewing performance of the core probable every three months for deciding who needs to be retained or dropped or added.
The Committee will also take up cases where for any reason; a decision cannot be taken by SAI DG.
It will also be responsible for taking up the cases where quick decisions are required on the part of the Ministry including arrangements of additional funds.
Besides, any other activity deemed necessary in connection with preparation for major international sporting events will be taken by the Committee.
The Steering Committee will be headed by Secretary (Sports) and Executive Director (Teams), SAI will be the convener, while the other members will include SAI Director General, Joint Secretary (Sports), Joint Secretary (Development), Government Observer for the concerned discipline, the release said.
Also a representative of concerned National Sports Federation(s), a representative of India Olympic Association and any other member to be co-opted as required and Chief Coach of concerned discipline(s) will be part of the Steering Committee.
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