Sri Lanka defeat Afghanistan

Sri Lanka got off to a winning start in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship with a solitary goal victory over minnows Afghanistan in their opening Group A clash at the floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Skipper Dudley Steinwall scored the match winner 42 minutes into the first half to ensure three points for the islanders.

Earlier in the day's first game, Pakistan posted a surprise 1-0 win against favourites India at the same venue.

Sri Lanka, the second highest FIFA ranked country (139) in the tournament after India (127), and coached by a Brazilian, failed to impress against the newcomers from Afghanistan who had the crowd behind them for their spirited display.

The Lankans, however, were tactically superior and that ultimately made the difference.

Sri Lanka could have gone ahead in the 22nd minute when forward Jayasuriya got the ball from a Weerasinghe pass in side the danger area. But he failed to keep his composure and shot wide of the near post.

The much-expected lead came at the stroke of the breather when the Lankans got a free kick on the left flank. Jayasuriya floated the ball into the Afghanistan box and following a melee it fell invitingly for Steinwall who placed the ball home with a left footer.

Back into the international scene after two decades in isolation, Afghanistan to their credit didn't lose heart and inspired by their four Germany-based players, went close to equalising on a couple of occasions in the second half. The overly cautious Lankans however packed their defence to deny an Afghan fairytale.

Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in their next match while Afghanistan meet defending champions India tomorrow.

TEAMS

Sri Lanka: Faurd, Azmeer (Mohideen), Steinwall, Kumara (Abeysekera), Prabath, Weerasinghe, Channa, Devinda, Jayasuriya (Hameed), Mamsa and Mohamed.

Afghanistan: Jamshid, Najib, Zia, Omar, Rahil, Bashir, Nasir (Danish), Wahid (Rohlla), Najibullah, Obaidullah (Elias) and Reza.

Yellow cards: Kumara, Prabath, Mohamed (Sri Lanka) and Ahmed Zia, Obaidullah (Afghanistan).

Referee: Budhi Bahadur Gurung (Nepal)