Palestine Plays 2 Friendlies v. Pakistan

Palestine will play Pakistan on May 24 and 27, 2011 as part of preparations for World Cup Qualifier against Afghanistan. Both matches will be played in Ramallah in West Bank.

Palestine visited Pakistan in March for two friendly matches ahead of their AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier matches.

This transmits to messages to Afghanistan: First, Palestine is getting the full preparation for their matches against Afghanistan at the end of June and beginning of July, and second, AFC might not agree with Afghanistan to relocate the second leg of matches v. Palestine in a neutral venue. Although not confirmed yet, Afghanistan is trying its best to persuade AFC that both matches be played in neutral venues.

Hummel Sponsors Afghanistan National Teams

Video: Afghanistan in Practice

Lack of Coordination the Main Reason Behind Afghanistan Crush in Challenge Cup

Afghanistan Times News Bureau

KABUL: Lack of coordination among Afghan footballers was the main reason behind failure of Afghanistan in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, said an official on Saturday.

7 Afghan refugees from Europe and US joined the national team in the challenge cup and players did not have proper coordination among each other. This caused Afghanistan lose the match, said Ahmad Shah Sayer, Head of Media Department Football Federation, in an exclusive interview with Afghanistan Times Daily.

He added that Afghan football team defeated Sri Lanka by 1-0 goal and lost their two matches for Nepal and North Korea respectively in Group D and crashed the rest of the tournament.

“If there was a special sport ground inside the country and all players had practiced and knew the techniques and tactics of each others, I am sure that Afghanistan football team would have beaten others,” Mr. Sayer added.

Hamayon Kargar, Coach of Afghanistan National Football Team told Afghanistan Times Daily that the players had practiced since last three months for readiness for the abovementioned cup. But he did not express its concerned regarding coordination of football players.

Ahmad Qubad, a football player told Afghanistan Times Daily that those teams are successful; which have teamwork and the players are well aware of each others’ techniques.

“If the football federation selects Afghan refugees in the national team, it must provide practicing facilities inside the country so the players should get along with each others,” he noted.

Mr. Kargar praised the performance of players in three matches of challenges cup, he said players still need more effort and hard practice to set them for big football tournaments.

Afghanistan Jumps to 164 in FIFA World Ranking in May

Afghanistan is likely to have a 10 step jump in FIFA World Ranking in May 2011. Afghanistan gains 16 points from its win over Sri Lanka in AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier and ranks at 164 in next month ranking.

Afghanistan will be placed at 32 in Asia next month.

This is the highest place Afghanistan has ever reached. Previously, Afghanistan ranked high in July 2006 when it reached 173 after two consecutive draws in AFC Challenge Cup of 2006.

The estimate are used from World Football Ranking web log.

Nepal to Host 1st Ever U16 SAFF Championship

Sports Power India: Nepal has agreed to host the 2012 Under 16 SAFF tournament, though there was some discussion on the cost factor.

It has been decided that for the MAs wanting to host the U-16s, they themselves would have to bear the costs. The Nepal delegation head Ganesh Thapa has said it would scout the market and send a proposal for the minimum cost at which they can host the event.

Nepal also made out a case that the 2013 Clubs Championship be held there as had been announced. They said that in the previous meeting, it had been announced that Nepal would host the tournament, and consequently the MA there had made announcements in their national media accordingly. To be told No now would be embarrassing, to say the least.

SAFF President Kazi Salauddin and General Secretary Alberto Colaco assured that they would finalise Nepal’s name but just after consultation with the sponsors.

Sri Lanka to Host 2nd Bi-annual SAFF Women's Championship

Sportz Power India: In the SAFF Seminar today, the discussion on the women’s SAFF tournament concluded with the reiteration that it is of utmost importance to continue the event, despite financial hardships. Sri Lankan Manilal Fernando, AFC Vice President and FIFA Development Officer said that his country would host it anyway.

“If no other country comes forward then I will host the event. If I find sponsors, that will be fine. Otherwise my own company will finance the event,” Fernando said to much applause.

All India Football Federation CEO Kushal Das had earlier mooted a Under-13 football festival. The proposal has been cleared, especially after Das clarified that a major insurance company wants to reach out to the parents of children for insurance sales for the latter and is very keen that the event takes place.

1st Ever Bi-annual SAFF Clubs Championship to Kick Off in September

Sportz Power India: NEW DELHI: The first ever bi-annual South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Clubs Championship will be held in India from September 1 to 15, the Member Associations (MAs) of SAFF decided here today, at a seminar organised jointly by SAFF, AIFF and India's biggest industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry..

Also decided was that it will be held every second edition in this country, which SAFF’s sole marketing agency World Sports Group said is the biggest market for football in the eight-country formation under the aegis of the Asian Football Confederation.

This means that the 2015 SAFF Clubs Championship will be held here, and in between, as in 2013, it will be held in any other member country excepting India and Bangladesh.

During the presentation from WSG by Ian Mathie, he had reiterated the point that football marketers have been insisting on at almost every for a: the dates for such events have to be fixed in advance, so that there is ample time for them to get sponsorships.

Keeping this in mind, it was decided that the date for the bi-annual tournament will remain September 1 to 15 for the years in which the tournament will be played.

There was some discussion on whether all the MAs would agree to this or not, since countries like Maldives have a strong professional club tournament and their dates might clash with the September timeline set today.

Barring Maldives all the MAs agreed t accept that date, though Maldives has not said No to this.

Let the event start, was the general agreement of all present at the seminar held in one of FICCI's auditoriums.

However, SAFF General Secretary added one more conditionality in aid of better marketing prospects: the bidding countries must from the next edition (that is, of 2013) will have to specify the city and the stadia in which they propose to hold the tournament, so that these cities and stadia be checked out by the SAFF for playing conditions, floodlighting, facilities, etc., all of which are vital for deliverables that can be offered to the sponsors.

1st SAFF Seminar to Coordinate Activities with Members

Mr. Ajay Maken, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports of India will inaugurate the 1st Seminar for Members Associations belonging to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) on the 14th of April at 10 a.m. The AFC President Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam will preside over the inaugural session.

The seminar which is being conducted by SAFF in Association with FICCI and AIFF will be hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the Federation House, New Delhi.

SAFF President Mr. Kazi Mohammed Salahuddin, FIFA Executive Committee Member Mr. Manilal Fernando, AFC Vice-President, Mr. Ganesh Thapa, AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel, FICCI Sports Committee Chairman, Mr. Prasanna Krishna, AFC General Secretary, Mr. Alex Soosay are among the dignitaries who will attend the seminar.

The main aim of the seminar is to coordinate the activities of SAFF so that there is greater cooperation between the SAFF Member Associations and they work together for the development of Football in South Asia.

Follow Up:

In his presidential address at the SAFF Seminar, Bin Hammam said AFC welcomed the opportunity to work for the development of football in the South Asian region.

“We are delighted to be involved in developing in the SAFF region. We are focusing on developing professional football but this will not stop us from developing amateur football too. In Vision Asia we have programmes for both,” said Bin Hammam.

Afghanistan Women Team Not Included in FIFA Ranking Yet

Like FIFA ranking for the men's national teams, there is a ranking for the women national teams from 2003 onward which is updated 4 times a year. Afghanistan, unfortunately, is not included in the ranking so far.

The provision to be included in the ranking is to play at least 5 official matches against other national teams and be active in the past 4 years. Afghanistan has played only 3 official international matches against Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives in 2010.

Afghanistan ranks last, with 750 points, among 172 teams which are included in FIFA Provisional Ranking. Teams like Uzbekistan, UAE and some other prominent countries in men football in Asia have not completed the 5 matches minimum requirement either.

Afghanistan and Palestine Play in Neutral Venues

Homayoon Kargar, the Head Coach of Afghanistan told Tolo News both Afghanistan and Palestine will host their respective World Cup Qualifier legs in third countries. He cited the security reasons as the basis for this move. This view has been confirmed by some members of the Afghan squad as well.

Although Kargar added FIFA and AFC have not permitted Palestine to host matches in Palestine, he did not point out to the fact Palestine hosted Jordan in Ramallah some months ago.

In addition to security reasons, Afghanistan will have problems in obtaining Israeli visa to enter Palestine.

21 Places Jump, 174 Place in FIFA Ranking for Afghanistan

In FIFA April's Ranking, Afghanistan climbed 21 places reaching 174, one place short of their highest place in FIFA ranking which was achieved in July 2006.

Afghanistan had only 10 points in March which placed it at 195 place of the world. This month, with the 51 points gained after two successive defeats of Bhutan, Afghanistan reached 174.

This month ranking covers all matches up to April 7, which means the win over Sri Lanka will give Afghanistan more points in the next ranking.

Afghanistan Performed Bravely, but Lost to North Korea

Afghanistan failed to qualify for the final round of AFC Challenge Cup after it received two goals from World Cuppers North Korea in its final group match today. North Korea could score in injury time of first half and minute 70 of the match.

A draw v. North Korea could help Afghanistan get the second group position, but some individual mistakes cost the match for Afghanistan. Homayoon Kargar, Afghan head coach, was happy about his boys performance, but was unhappy about the mistakes.

North Korea coach also praised Afghanistan for their strong performance.

Team-e-Mellie is flying to Kabul on Wednesday.

Afghanistan Take on North Korea Today

Afghanistan has a hard job in their last group match in AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier v. North Korea. To qualify to the next round, Afghanistan has to beat North Korea or wait for a surprise win of Sri Lanka over Nepal in the other match of today.

North Korea has 6 points after beating Sri Lanka and Nepal, Nepal has 3 points after winning over Afghanistan and losing to North Korea, and Afghanistan has 3 points after winning over Sri Lanka and losing to Nepal. So, today both matches decide which two teams qualify for the next round.

North Korea is a formidable opponent for Afghanistan. They were in World Cup last year and are defending champions of AFC Challenge Cup, while Afghanistan came after they won their play-offs before the group matches. On the other hand, Nepal should not have a big task v. Sri Lanka. The last time, Nepal scored 3 goals while receiving none.

The only hope for Afghanistan is that Sri Lanka creates a surprise, or themselves create a surprise by winning over a North Korea who might enter most of their reserve players in today's match.

Afghanistan overcome Sri Lanka

Hadid score in minute 82 for Afghanistan to send Afghanistan equal to Nepal behind North Korea in Group D of Afc Challenge Cup Qualifier.

The win is vital for Afghanistan, because it was beaten in the first match by Nepal.

Afghanistan Down in the First Match

Nepal started their AFC Challenge Cup group D qualifiers campaign with a win on Thursday as they defeated Afghanistan 1-0 at the Dasharath Stadium.

The goal which came at 27 minute gave all 3 points to Nepal.

Afghanistan has a mountain to climb if it wants to qualify for the next round.A win in today's match plus a draw or win against North Korea could send Afghanistan to the next round.

Afghanistan will take on Sri Lanka at 2:15 pm (Kabul Time)and another strong opposition, North Korea, on Tuesday at the same time.

Afghanistan Aims for 7 Points

Afghanistan is aiming for 7 points in Group D of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier to begin on April 7. Salim (Israfil) Kohistani told Tamadon TV they look to defeat Nepal and Sri Lanka and draw North Korea during the contest.

Kohistani looked confident and said they do their best to grab one place in the final stage of the tournament.

Afghanistan will fly to Nepal on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Kantipur TV of Nepal won the broadcasting rights of the matches to be played from April 7 to 9 in Kathmandu. Tamadon TV has shown interest to broadcast Afghanistan matches live, but it is not known whether the Kantipur TV agrees.

Afghanistan One of Best Movers in this Month FIFA Ranking

FIFA is going to release its ranking for the month of March on April 13th. However, a preview of the future ranking shows Afghanistan might move from 195 team of the world to 174 in virtue of their consecutive wins over Bhutan on March 23 and 25.

Afghanistan will gain 51 points which adds up to their 10 points they have for a long time. With going 21 steps higher, Afghanistan will be the best mover in Asia and 3rd overall in the world this month. It is also the best move of Afghanistan so far. Afghanistan climbed from 188 to 173 in July 2006.

Afghanistan's match v. Nepal on April 7 will be counted in this month ranking as well, which means a draw would raise Afghanistan's points to 70 and a win to 87.

Diplomatic Relations a Hurdle for Afghanistan v. Palestine

Afghanistan play-offs against Palestine might see problems due to diplomatic relations. Palestine is going to host Afghanistan on July 3rd, but Afghanistan might not be able to get into West Bank to play Palestine, unless the match is played in a neutral place.

Afghanistan does not recognize Isreal as a state and therefore does not have any diplomatic relations with Isreal which is a requirement for applying visa to enter Palestine. It is also mentionable that contacting any level of Israeli authorities by Afghanistan Football Federation may face a lot of criticism inside Afghanistan. Some years ago, an e-mail was sent mistakenly to Isreali Embassy in Berlin for the ceremony of Afghanistan's Independence Day by a Secretary of Afghanistan Mission in Berlin which costed the job of the Secretary. She could not come back to Afghanistan due to a lot of creaticism by media and religious scholars.

Since Afghanistan might not be given the right to host Palestine in Kabul, it would be wise that Palestine host the return leg in a neutral place. The countries like Iran, Tajikestan or Pakistan might be good options for both countries.

Afghanistan hosted Syria in their last world cup qualifier return leg in Tajikestan.