UN congratulates Afghan soccer team over recent win

KABUL - The United Nations special representative for Afghanistan on Monday congratulated the Afghan national soccer team over its recent win of an international trophy.

"Afghanistan's 2-0 win over India for the South Asian Football Federation Championship trophy was a historic occasion  the country's first international soccer victory. The win has also seen the Afghanistan national soccer team rise seven places in FIFA's world rankings table to the 132nd spot, which is another cause for celebration," the UN envoy Jan Kubis said in a statement issued here by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Monday.

Afghanistan won its first international trophy in soccer, beating India 2-0 in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The final match was held in Kathmandu last Wednesday.

"Last week's victory is much more than just a sporting achievement. After decades of war, this triumph was rightly seen as another powerful symbol of Afghanistan's return to normal times, acknowledged on the international stage. The exuberant celebrations were also a demonstration of national unity and pride. I take this occasion to congratulate the team and wish it the very best in its future matches," Kubis said.

The eight participating teams were India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan.

Despite a raging insurgency, lack of funds and having no proper sport facilities, the war-torn Afghanistan embarked on an extraordinary rise in soccer and cricket in recent years.

The Afghan national soccer team defeated team Pakistan 3-0 during a friendly game held in Kabul on Aug 20, which was the first game between the two neighbors in 36 years.

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