By Andrew Warshaw
September 12 – Afghan fans are celebrating their war-torn country making football history following a 2-0 win over India on Wednesday that clinched the South Asian Football Federation Championship.
Afghanistan’s national federation was founded in 1922 and joined FIFA in 1948. Six years later they were a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation but their long footballing pedigree has been overshadowed by decades of conflict and military intervention.
Hence the nationwide euphoria after lifting their first ever international trophy in Kathmandu, Nepal – watched back home by millions of fans who crammed into restaurants and cafes to watch the final on television.
The tournament may not have generated much publicity outside the region but it was a massive deal in Afghanistan where the national team unites the country’s various ethnic groups. The victory avenged the 4-0 loss to India in the 2011 final in Delhi.
Afghanistan, ranked 139th in the world, has never played at the World Cup finals, or even at the Asian Cup. Although not banned, football was severely restricted under the rule of the Taliban from 1996 to 2001. Stadiums were often used to stage public executions.
“You can’t imagine how big this moment is for our country, our fans, our team and me,” said Afghan coach Yousef Kargar. “We have proved that we belong in the world of football. Our team has improved a lot over the last few years and I am sure we will get better in the years to come.”
Apart from the two finalists, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and hosts Nepal were the other participants.
Last month, in a deeply symbolic match hailed by FIFA as a major sporting breakthrough, Afghanistan beat neighbours Pakistan 3-0 in what was the first international game played in Kabul in a decade and the first between the two countries in the Afghan capital for over 30 years.
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