'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The SAFF Suzuki championship of 2015 concluded it’s group stages where India and Sri Lanka progressed to the last four from Group A, whilst Afghanistan and Maldives joined them in the next round from Group B.Bhutan and Bangladesh continue to disappoint, whereas the two favourites India and Afghanistan are staring at a distinct possibility of yet another enticing meeting in the finals. As the knock-out rounds approach, let’s first roll our eyes over some of the talking points from the group stages of the 2015 SAFF Cup.
#1 Chhangte can be vital to India\'s fortunes
Mizoram born Lallianzuala Chhangte resoundingly announced himself on the international stage for India as the 18-year old bagged a brace in the 4-1 rout of Nepal to become the youngest ever goal-scorer for The Blue Tigers. The DSK Shivjians forward was brought on as a substitute in the hosts’ final group game against their tiny neighbours and ran the show in the absence of the injured Robin Singh.
Chhangte had shown flashes of his potential in the previous game against Sri Lanka when he made his debut after being subbed on for Singh, grabbing some eyeballs with deft first-touches and accurate passing. He first represented the Tri-Colour at the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, making three not-so-memorable appearances.
But having made a promising start to his senior career, he will now be pivotal to India’s hopes of reclaiming the bragging rights in South-Asia.
#2 The Afghans still favourites to retain cup
Afghanistan embarked on their SAFF outing in India the way they finished it off in Nepal two years ago – with an emphatic win. The Afghan Lions made history when they beat India 2-0 in the finals in 2013 to lift their first ever international trophy and appear buoyant to retain the title.
The holders romped to three victories out of three group stage games, demolishing Bangladesh 4-0 in the opener to follow it up by a comfortable 3-0 win over Bhutan. They then thrashed their nearest chellengers from the group, Maldives, 4-1 in their final game of Group B to truly lay down the gauntlet.
With the newly formed Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) drafting in Afghanistan, this will be their last participation in the SAFF tournament and are determined to leave the region on a high.
#3 Bhutan - The whipping boys
Himalayan nation Bhutan entered the tournament as the lowest ranked team after Nepal and Sri Lanka and seemingly justified their low-profile status in football by taking a battering in each of their outings. The Dragon Boys conceded 9 times in 3 group games and finished bottom of their group without a single point to show for their efforts.
They managed to catch everyone by surprise when they unexpectedly qualified for the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after defeating Sri Lanka 3-1 on aggregate but haven’t been able to replicate even a scintilla of those heroics here.
Barring the 2008 SAFF cup where Druk Yul reached the semis, it has always been a sorry state of affairs for the land-locked country. Now with three more defeats in the latest edition, their overall record reads: Played – 22; Won - 1; Draw – 1 and Lost – 20.
#4 Afghanistan and Maldives - The most entertaining sides of the region?
The top two teams from Group B, Afghanistan and Maldives, have weighed in with a lion’s share of entertainment in this tournament. The two teams managed to enthrall the viewers with their all-out attacking brand of football and the goal-glut produced in their games.
Combined, the two teams accounted for 58% of the tournament’s goals, and also have the highest attendance for their matches barring the ones featuring India. Both nations trampled over minnows Bangladesh and Bhutan, and also set up a grandstand, top-of-the-table clash in the final group game where Afghanistan emerged triumphant 4-1.
They were in the same group even in 2013 and had racked-up similar stats. Whilst Afghanistan bagged 6 at this stage back then, Maldives accrued a staggering 18.
Indeed, they are the most entertaining sides of South Asia.
#5 2015 SAFF a step down from 2013 edition
While Afghanistan and Maldives can be singled out as the most delightful teams of this year’s SAFF cup, the overall tournament has been a step down from its previous edition regarding pure entertainment. Hosted by Nepal, 2013 in SAFF witnessed more action, more thrill, more drama and lastly, more goals. Way more.
Firstly, Pakistan opted to withdraw from the tournament. Nextly, with 31 goals at the end of the first round this year, there’s been a steep downfall from the 47 scored in the competition at the same stage two years back, averaging almost a staggering 4 goals a game. Whilst none of the 12 games played thus far has seen a side scoring more than four in a single match, the 2013 edition saw three.
Moreover, this competition is yet to witness a hat-trick whereas 3 trebles were already scored at this stage in the previous edition of SAFF.
This Year’s South Asian football competition has certainly been a letdown, and with Afghanistan departing for the Central Asian version 2016 onwards, it’s only going to get even worse for SAFF.
