Afghanistan wins 1st international football title

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Bullets whizzed through the air in the Afghan capital Wednesday night, this time in celebration rather than anger: Afghanistan had just won its first international trophy in football.

The Afghans beat India 2-0 in the South Asian Football Federation Championship, a tough match whose result brought a rare moment of unity to this ethnically fractious, war-weary nation, which the U.S. invaded in the months after the Sept. 11 attacks 12 years ago.

In Kabul, young and old cheered, clapped and laughed as their team seized the win in Kathmandu, Nepal. Cars horns blared, and some Afghans waved national flags on the streets. The gunfire, meanwhile continued for about an hour after the win, raising safety concerns.

"I am extremely happy, and I am very proud," said Waheedullah, who like many Afghans goes by one name. "How I can explain my feelings? My friends and I were just praying, praying to be champions. It's one of the happiest days of my life."

The Afghans, who were a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation in 1954, have a long football history but only recently re-emerged on the world scene after decades of war and insurgency.

When the Taliban ruled the country from 1996-2001, they severely restricted sports and football stadiums were used to stage executions of those who ran afoul of the Islamist movement's harsh laws. After the U.S. ousted the Taliban in 2001, sports here were reborn.

Although Afghanistan has never played at the World Cup, or even at the Asian Cup, the country has been getting better in recent years, rising up the FIFA rankings to No. 139 on the latest list.

On Wednesday, Mustafa Azadzoi put Afghanistan ahead early in the first half at Dashrath Stadium, and Sanjar Ahmadi doubled the lead in the second. When it was over, the Afghan players danced around the field with Afghan flags draped on their shoulders.

"I'm proud of my whole country. I congratulate my dear countrymen," said Afghanistan goalkeeper Mansur Faqiryar, who made some key saves during the game.

The win over India avenged the team's loss in the SAFF Championship final two years ago, when India beat the Afghans 4-0.

Afghans gathered in homes, restaurants, offices and even small markets to watch the game. President Hamid Karzai's office tweeted a photo of him watching the players celebrate their win.

"The youth of Afghanistan showed that our nation, our people have the ability to make progress and succeed," said a seemingly choked-up Karzai in a multilingual message posted on YouTube.

Even the Afghan intelligence service issued a statement congratulating the football champions. It also later issued a statement asking celebrants to stop firing guns.

Afghans began playing football about 90 years ago, and the country's national federation was founded in 1922. Afghanistan joined FIFA in 1948.

Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, football gained a strong following in the country, but it nearly died out during the 10-year Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1989 and the civil war that followed from 1992 to 1996.

Since the Taliban were toppled in 2001, Afghans have struggled to rebuild their country. Moments of national unity are especially uplifting as they grapple with an uncertain future due to the ongoing withdrawal of U.S.-led troops and a spreading Taliban insurgency.

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Associated Press Writer Amir Shah contributed to this report.