Pakistan, India to clash in South Asian Football today

LAHORE Pakistan and India are having tough time in Chittagong despite domination of South Asian Games 26-year soccer history. The teams face each other on Tuesday, February 2 in the 11th South Asian Games Football Tournament at MA Aziz Stadium. Afghanistan shattered dreams of Pakistan with closely-fought 2-1 win last night after inflicting 1-0 defeat on India on Friday. Both the wins are the greatest upsets of SA Games football history. Two wins in two matches confirmed Afghanistans place in the last four. Pakistan and India started playing SA Games in 1985 while Afghanistan was given first-ever entry in 2004 when Pakistan staged the ninth edition. Afghanistan, in all their three outings in that Islamabad event had failed even to win single match at Colombo 2006. Sri Lanka are the frontrunners to join Afghanistan in semi-finals after they played 0-0 draw with India at same venue. Afghanistans skipper Belal Arezou, who netted all-important goal against India on Friday, turned out to be the hero again with two breath taking goals. He punished defensive blunder in Pakistan area to score opening goal in the 16th minute. But Pakistan came back to land leveller through WAPDAs Arif Mehmood in the 67th minute. Belal fired winner seven minutes from time to book Afghans place in the semifinals. Seeing an advancing keeper, Belal lobbed the ball over onrushing Pakistani keeper. In other match of the day, India failed to break the Sri Lankan defence despite going all out for a win. After a listless performance in the first half, India stepped up the charge to find an elusive goal in the second but failed to find the back of the net. The Lankans played defensive football for most of the match and hardly threatened the opposition goal. In the 58th minute, India captain Jeje Lalpekhlua received a flying pass from Jewel Raja Sheikh and found Sri Lanka custodian Viraj alone inside the penalty area, but his shot went sailing over the post. Then with 17 minutes remaining of regular time, Lalrindika Ratle shot one from outside the penalty area directly at the keeper who parried it which fell kindly for Milan Singha, but Milans shot failed to find the target. Two minutes later, Sri Lanka found an opening when WHC Gunaratne floated an excellent corner for captain Ruwanthilke whose header flew over the bar. In the last phase of the game, the Lankans sat back instead of looking to attack. Tuesday Fixture Men Event Afghanistan v Sri Lanka (Chittagongs M A Aziz Stadium 3 PM), Pakistan v India (Chittagongs M A Aziz Stadium 5.30 PM) Women event Nepal v Sri Lanka (Bangabandhu Stadium, Dhaka 2.30 PM), Pakistan v Bangladesh (Bangabandhu Stadium, Dhaka 5 PM) Pak boxers leave for SA Games today A 10-man Pakistan boxing team will be leave today (Tuesday) morning to Bangladesh to take part in South Asian Games. In all eight teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan. Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives will compete in the boxing event. SA Games boxing event will be played at Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium Dhaka from February 5 to 8. Pakistan won seven gold and three silver medals and lifted the Trophy initially but Mehrullah and Faisal Karim were snatched of there medals after positive dope test and only one boxers Abid Ali is in current team from that gold winning squad of last South Asian Games in Colombo 2006. Defending champion Pakistan team comprised of six boxers including Captain Mohammad Waseem (51kg), Nadir Baloch (48kg), Niamat Ullah (54kg), Abid Ali (57kg), Adnan Hussain (60kg) and Amir Khan (64kg) along with chief coach Francisco Roldan and Team Manager Iqbal Hussain. After strong protest from the Pakistan Boxing Federation, Federal Sports Ministry took a U-turn on its decision of dropping assistant boxing coach Abdul Majeed Brohi from the contingent of SA Games and now he will leave for Bangladesh with the team. During the last two days in the national camp, psychology expert Prof Dr Mohammad Ishaq Sirhandi given special lecture to boxer for the mental toughness and some other training. We have good training from Cuban and national coaches during national camp and get lot of experience form participation in shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) in last month so we have good hope in SAF games say Pakistans skipper Mohammad Waseem. I think Indian boxers will a tough opponent for us, Mohammad Waseem added.

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