Afghanistan football players celebrate with the SAFF Championship 2013 trophy after defeating India during the final match in Kathmandu on September 11, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The sturdy Afghans never looked back after Mustafa Azadzoy put them ahead in the ninth minute of the fast-paced final, with Sandjar Ahmadi extending the lead in the 62nd minute.
An estimated 5,000 fans at the Dasarath Rangashala stadium in the Nepalese capital were treated to attacking football in a repeat of the previous final in 2011 in New Delhi between the same teams.
The Afghans had publicly spoken about their intention to seek revenge for the humiliating 4-0 loss to India in that final, which they blamed on poor supervision by the referee.
Mission accomplished, the Afghan squad led by coach Yousef Kargar danced on the field with their nation's flag held aloft, before doing a lap of honour in front of an appreciative crowd.
Afghanistan, ranked 139th in the world as compared to India's 145th, were rewarded for an early assault on the Indian goal when Azadzoy scored following a swift move from the right flank.
India responded with quick strikes of their own through Robin Singh and the Japanese-born Arata Izumi, both of which were thwarted by Afghan goalkeeper Mansur Faqiryar.
A surprise move by India's Dutch coach Wim Koevermans to bench star striker Sunil Chettri till the 60th minute cost the defending champions dearly as several chances went begging.
Afghanistan took advantage of their fumbling rivals as Ahmadi made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, chipping the ball out of the reach of the outstretched Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul.
It was Afghanistan's maiden victory in the SAFF tournament, while India had won the event six times, including the last two in 2009 and 2011.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and hosts Nepal were the other teams in the tournament, regarded as the symbol of football supremacy in South Asia.
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I feel this was not a fair contest, Afghans had the advantage of playing at high altitude, there should be a rematch to decide this, lets play in Calcutta to decide who is the real champion. It should be a game about football not mountaineering.
@Mohammed Qassem: "In Fact Cricket is growing very fast in Afghanistan and we already achieved certain heights."
I love it when Afghans say or use the word "We" to refer to themselves. If anyone has followed my comments closely they would see that I love anyone who is patriotic, those who think of themselves as belonging to a country and not a religion or caste or tribe, I hate these sorts of religious conversions that is happening in Pakistan, and this is the seed of all evils in Pakistan. The essence of conversion is to make him a better person and not to become a bad person yourself by your own acts and thoughts. No religion is good or bad. It is only its followers who make the religion good or bad. I have no problem with conversions by Catholics as they do it by convincing and even if at times they do it with inducement, I have no problem, and I am totally against terrorism in any form. Lack of patriotism is what makes Pakistanis talk of muslims in India, Afghanistan, USA, Canada, Australia, UK and elsewhere. See what it has done to their own self by trying to make the muslims in other countries develop unpatriotic feelings for the country of which they are citizens or the country they have moved to. Has it brought a good name to Islam or Muslims?
I want to congratulate both the indian team and Afghan team for playing great foothball. Both the teams played very well. As an Afghan I am very happy with the result and wish my team success in their future games and hope that they continue their hard work. However I have to give some credit to the Indian team as well, they played some excellent foothball there and made the match as exciting as was expected. India and Afghanistan has very good political and social relationship. Whenever I see indian, they show lots of respect and love for Afghans and Afghans respect them too. Long live Afghanistan and may we always have peace in our country and around the world. WS.
Congratulations Afghanistan. Keep it up.
In Fact Cricket is growing very fast in Afghanistan and we already achieved certain heights. Insha Allah, we will raise Afghanistan's flag to highest point possible in cricket world as well. @Raj - USA:
@Ahsan: what revenge
@ The Economist: i fully concur with your views and Congratulations to Afghanistan. They deserved to win and I hope that footballs replace guns in that country.
@Raj - USA: Too early to comment because in 2014 US military are going back and country will have to stand on its own feet.
@usman: could you just come out of this "brothers" thing because its embarrassing to say the least. Well done to Afghans and the biggest reason they are one of the top teams in football in our region is because they are technically better than all of the rest. India is a power house due to history and best league in the region, Pakistan doesn't have the required passion in football to be a better team even tough they have done a commendable job in SAFF cup 2013.
Even though being an indian i must admit that if pakistan had not hit ball in its own court than india would not have reached in quarters and india in this series were not looking best like those in previous cups and afghanistan and also Maldevies were good,and this game proves why afghanistan is raked above all south asian teams and this win will bring lot of positive energy in afghanistan.
Congratulations to all Afghans and the team Milli for achieving a great milestone. India played well but Afghanistan was determined to bring home the trophy that should have been theirs to defend. Long live Afghanistan and the spirit of sportmanship.
@usman: not necessary.
You guys are so use to jumping the gun, literally. I genuinely pity your ignorant culture and fate. Nonetheless, Congratulations! God bless Afghan football! Great beginning guys!
Well done Afghanistan! good lesson to India and Pakistan, talent doesnt need better grounds or facilities to win!
Wah !!!!!! This is nice and exciting. Keep it up Afghans. Very soon they shall become a team that India and Pakistan will fear in Cricket also.
The lions roared and the hapless Indians cowered in defeat. The Afghans have arrived and they will soar to great heights in sports and other fields.
Mubarak to brothers in Afghanistan
We Got the Revenge,,,Afghanistan Zindabad!!