Print
Persianleague
- Sep 28, 2002
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

BUSAN, South Korea, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Afghanistan returned to the international sporting arena for the first time since 1994 on Saturday, but their soccer team was outclassed as it slumped to a 10-0 defeat against defending Asian Games champions Iran.

Afghanistan, who last took part in an international sporting event at the 1994 Asian Games in Japan but had not played soccer at the event since 1954, were outplayed by the Iranians in their opening group E match at the Gudeok Main Stadium.

But for the Afghans, the taking part was more important than the result, as they played their first international game since the Taliban came to power and took another small step on the long road to normality after 23 years of occupation and civil war.

"I'm satisfied with the way the players performed but we came here to win matches, so I have to be disappointed with the result," said Afghanistan coach Mir Ali Asgar.

Peter Velappan, general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), also noted the gap in class between the two sides, but gave Afghanistan his full backing on their return.

"Technically, it was like watching schoolboys but individually they (Afghanistan) were still better than expected. The AFC will continue to support Afghanistan football," he said.

DOUBLE FIGURES

The Taliban regime, which controlled most of the country by 1996, did not encourage sport and women were banned from taking part. Footballers even had to wear long trousers.

The Afghan soccer team's last official matches were in the qualifying competition for the 1984 Olympic Games.

Their inexperience showed as Iran reached double figures when veteran substitute Ali Daei scored his second goal in 90 minutes, but fellow striker Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht did most of the damage with five goals in an impressive performance.

Midfielder Javad Nekounam scored twice and Yahya Golmohammadi also got on the scoresheet as the Iranians ran out easy winners after finding the net seven times in the second half.

Young Afghan striker Sayed Tahir Shah, dubbed the country's answer to England captain David Beckham, learnt his skills while a refugee in Iran, but he struggled to make an impact.

Tahir first made a name for himself with a stunning goal against the International Security Assistance Force peacekeepers in Afghanistan's capital Kabul a few months ago that was broadcast around the world.

However, he failed to shine against the more experienced Iranians and was substituted in the second half.

Afghanistan's soccer squad of 20 players and four other delegates will be joined by a taekwondo team of eight, eight wrestlers, seven boxers, two cyclists and one karate fighter.

Afghanistan does not expect to win any medals at the Games, but with little funding available for sports facilities, they are just grateful to be back on the international stage.

The Afghan soccer team face Qatar on Tuesday and Lebanon the following Saturday in their other games. Those two teams drew 1-1 in their opening group game later on Saturday.