SAFF Championship 2015 : Afghanistan 5-0 Sri Lanka - 5 talking points

Mohammed Hashami, Kanischka Taher, Khaibar Amani, Ahmad Hatifie and Faysal Shayesteh were all on target as Afghanistan pummeled Sri Lanka for five in the second semi-final to book a date with hosts India in a thrilling finale.The defending champions struggled to find their footing early on as The Lankans put up a resolute defensive show, but their superior quality eventually put them through as Afghanistan take on The Blue Tigers for the third final running.Here are some of the talking points from the carnage at Thiruvananthapuram.

#1 A game of two contrasting halves

Afghanistan manager Petr Segrt would’ve been pleased with his side’s domination in the second half

Although there were little doubts over Afghanistan’s chances of making it to the finals, Sri Lanka made sure their path won’t be so easy as they defended obdurately in the opening half and kept the holders at arm's length.

The Afghan Lions were the most prolific side of the competition, but for the first 45 minutes, their attacking flair had gone AWOL. Petr Segrt’s side were made to strain every sinew to get a whiff of goal and after long spells of hard work, were finally handed a breather as Mohammed Hashami broke the deadlock in first half injury time.

Thereafter, Afghanistan rans rings all around Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s grit tapered off in the second half as the defending champions ran riot and struck four more times to bring their rivals to their knees. The islanders were absolutely helpless as they failed to carry the momentum of the first half into the second, and were eventually made to pay for it.

#2 Afghanistan\'s quality puts them through

The Afghan Lions started with 7 changes but were still to strong for Sri Lanka

For all of Sri Lanka’s vim and vigor, Afghanistan emerged triumphant as their superior quality eventually put them through. The Lions of Khorasan may have struggled to set an early tone, but there was never doubting this Afghan side’s calibre.

Once Afghanistan gained the lead, they never looked like relinquishing it. The champions of 2013 outclassed, outpaced and outwitted their tiny rivals and made up for all the initial glitches with a zinger of a performance in the closing 45 minutes.

What makes this Afghanistan side even more special is the fact that manager Petr Segrt made a total of 7 changes for the semi-final, but still came out on top and with some emphasis. Now that only serves as a testament to the immense quality this outfit vaunts.

#3 Lanka once again fail to break the semi-final ceiling

Sri Lanka have never qualified for the SAFF final in the last two decades

Of the 11 participations in the SAFF championship, Sri Lanka have made it to the last four on 6 occasions, fewer only to Maldives and India, but have progressed beyond that stage only twice – in the first two editions of the competitons, 1993 and 1995.

Since then, the island nation has hit a glass ceiling that they haven’t managed to pierce through yet.

Afghanistan were always going to be a Herculean proposition for a side ranked 194th in the world, but such has been their fate that they always run out of steam in the semi-finals. Today, despite having the writing on the wall, they put up a valiant fight in the first half, but couldn’t play in the same vein till the end.

Afghanistan’s departure to the newly formed CAFF championship from 2016 onwards may only provide a them with a glimmer of hope to have a relatively safer passage to the finals next time onwards.

#4 Khaibar Amani has an off day

Amani scored a penalty, but was quiet for most of the game

Afghanistan forward Khaibar Amani had an uncharacteristic, off form outing against Sri Lanka and did not appear in his usual self. The Hessen Dreieich forward may have got on the score-sheet with a nicely tucked away penalty, but wasn’t inspiring like he’s been all this while.

The 28-year old has been one of Afghanistan's star performers in the tournament, bagging three in the group stages and contributing heavily in the attack. But today though, Amani was a mere pedestrian and cut a desolate figure. Amani was eventually put out of his disappointment when Petr Segrt subbed him off early in the second half.

With India next on the cards, the holders will only hope to have him back to his rip-roaring best for the finals on Sunday.

#5 A final we all wanted

India will vie for their seventh SAFF trophy on 3rd January

Come January 3rd 2016, and hosts India and favourites Afghanistan will compete against each other for the third successive SAFF cup final in what promises to be an enticing finale.

The Blue Tigers have the massive backing of the supporters, but The Afghan Lions are no nickel-and-dime stuff. The defending champions have made their way to the finals in the best way possible, destroying Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka en route to the clash.

They certainly are the team to beat and Stephan Constantine’s men have a Herculean task in front of them. Although the 2013 heart-break in Nepal is still afresh in the minds of the Indians and will be aiming for a revenge, Afghanistan have ambitions of their own as they look to leave South Asia for the Central region by lifting the trophy again.

Indeed, its going to be another nail-biting finish to the SAFF cup.