Afghan women taste defeat in soccer friendly

KABUL’s football team 2-0 in a friendly encounter played in the neighbouring country ahead of next week’s South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Gold Cup, an official said on Monday.

On Saturday, the national side beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in a similar encounter. The warm-up matches between Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan will continue for a week in the lead-up to the 10th edition of the Gold Cup, scheduled to begin on August 31 in Nepal.

Afghanistan Football Federation chief Murtaza Danish told Pajhwok Afghan News the Afghan side failed to give a spirited performance and lost the game to Kazakhstan. However, he added the matches had been useful for players to improve their performances and overcome weaknesses.

Coach Yousuf Kargar said the 18-member squad included a manager.

mds/ma/mud