Afghanistan trounce Sri Lanka to march into SAFF Cup final

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Afghanistan trounced Sri Lanka in the semifinal encounter to storm into the final of the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Cup in India on Thursday.

Mohammad Hashemi, Kanischka Tahir, Khyber Amani, Ahmad Arash Hatifi and Faisal Shayesteh scored one goal each to shellac the opposition in an utterly one-sided clash.

The emphatic win at the Trivandrum International Stadium saw Afghanistan setting up the final with hosts India. The final is scheduled for Sunday (January 3).

In the second semifinal, India pipped the Maldives 3-2 in what looked a photo finish. India, a six-time SAFF champions, extended their winning record to seven games against the Maldives in the knockout stages of the SAFF Cup.

PAN Monitor/mud