SAFF Championship India-2011

                            India-Afghanistan final today

 It is going to be a two-man battle between the tournament's best strikers Sunil Chhetri and Belal Arezo when defending champions India and dark-horse Afghanistan square off in the final of the SAFF Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium today.

Both India striker Chhetri and Afghan hitman Arezo are in an intense battle to win the golden boot award after scoring six goals each to help their respective sides reach the final, which will kick off at 6:30 pm Bangladesh time.
Indians Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhula are considered the tournament's most deadly attackers, always keeping the opponent defenders busy with their speedy run and thunderbolt shooting.
On the other hand, Afghan Norway-based striker Belal Arezo and Sanjar Ahmadi are no less lethal as they shared nine goals between them to propel Afghanistan to their maiden SAFF Championship final.
“It is pleasing to see that Chhetri is getting goals in every match though Jeje can't score but he is helping Chhetri well in the matches. I am not thinking of the opponents' strikers, rather I only want to think about my team,” said Indian coach Savio Medeira on the eve of the final yesterday.
“Afghanistan also have a good striking duo and I think it is going to be a good match between us,” said Medeira admitting that Afghanistan has improved since the time they played against them.
Defending champions India came from behind to hold Afghanistan to a 1-1 draw in their opening match where both Arezo and Chhetri scored for their respective sides.
Mederia gave his charges a day's rest in a bid to overcome their tiredness and remain fresh for the final but he is planning to go about the final in much the same was as India did in their last four matches.
After having played 120 minutes against Nepal on way to the final, the Afghanistan side lost more energy but Afghanistan coach Yousof Kargar believes his side is ready for the final challenge.
“India are a better team than us but after playing against them in our first match, we know about India well. We are looking forward to making our people happy through winning the trophy,” said Kargar through an interpreter.
“I agree India have a good striking pair, but don't forget we also have good strikers in Arezo and Sanjar,” said Kargar whose Afghanistan never beat India in the four matches they have played so far.
However, Kargar admitted that India have a solid backline and that defender Syed Rahim Nabi, who has also scored two goals, will be tough for his strikers.
Like Kargar, Indian coach Medeira also praised Afghan defender Djelaludin Sharityar for his boldness in defying attacks.
It is not only the game of Chhetri, Jeje, Nabi, Arezo, Sanjar, Sharityar, there are also some players like Indian captain-cum-playmaker Clifford Miranda and Afghan playmaker Ata Mohammad Yamir Ali, who not only build the game from the midfield but also score in times of need, with two goals each a testament to their prowess.