Afghanistan Beat Pakistan 3-0 In 'Symbolic' Football Clash

Afghanistan Beat Pakistan 3-0 In 'Symbolic' Football Clash

Afghanistan's footballers have triumphed 3-0 over Pakistan in a friendly match, the first international game played in Kabul in a decade. 

It was the first game between the two countries in the Afghan capital for 30 years and hopes were high it might also help ease political tensions.

The match was billed as an indication of Afghanistan's return to normality after decades of war. It ignited fierce patriotic passions on both sides and was broadcast live.

The home side dominated the game from the kick-off, going three goals ahead mid-way through the second half to the delight of their rapturous supporters.

The outcome of the game - broadcast live - triggered a wave of post-match delirium in a country bedevilled by decades of war and poverty, sparking rowdy celebrations across the country.

However there were few Pakistani supporters or women fans of either team in the 6,000-capacity crowd at the recently-built Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) stadium.

"It shows that after a very difficult period we are returning to normality," Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) Secretary General Sayed Aghazada told FIFA.com.

"Afghan football has improved in terms of organization and infrastructure, and we now believe that football can play an even bigger role in our country."

Pakistan Football Federation Secretary General Ahmad Yar Khan Lodhi said he expected the game would help deepen the relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan head coach Zavisa Milosavljev told the BBC that his aim was to get international exposure for youth players and players "who don't play continually".

"Pakistan also has problems," he said. "We haven't played a single match in Pakistan." 

Football was not banned during the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, butduring their time in power they used the old Ghazi stadium in Kabul as a venue for executions, stoning and mutilations.

Ranked 139th in the world, Afghanistan had last played at home in 2003 against Turkmenistan. Pakistan's team is ranked 28 places below Afghanistan and has not played in Kabul since 1977.

"The main goal of this game is to build good relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan," said Afghan coach Yousuf Kargar, AFP news agency reports.

BBC News.