Afghanistan set to end 20-year exile

Imagine if the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland stopped playing football for almost twenty years.

BUSAN - After an exile of almost twenty years, the footballers of Afghanistan are now planning the downfall of Asian Games champions Iran.
When the players from the war-torn country step out at the Gudeok Stadium on Saturday, they will be trying to put behind them the years of war and civil strife associated with the Soviet occupation and the rule of the Taliban.

But just making it this far has been an arduous journey. The Afghans were only confirmed in the competition last month when Mongolia pulled out and then they had to rely on a $40,000 handout from world governing body Fifa to finance their trip.

Even then there were still hurdles to negotiate.

"It took us five days to get to South Korea," explained defender Rahil Ahmed.

"We had to take a bus to get out of Kabul to get us to Pakistan. Then we flew to Bangkok and then onto here.

"We were exhausted by the time we got to South Korea, but we didn't care. We are just so happy to be playing football again.

"It is important to play well and it's a chance for us to thank everyone for helping our country and to let them know that we still need help for our future."

Training in Kabul has been problematic. As well as struggling for kit and equipment, the main stadium in the city is still in such a poor state of repair that only half the pitch can be used for practice.

Afghanistan, a founding member of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the 1950s, were reinstated as members this year, paving the way for their participation in the here and for their return to the organization which they helped created in 1933.

"We have been in the football wilderness for 20 years and we are eager to make a quick impact," Abdul Alim Kohistani, president of the Afghanistan FA said recently.

"Football is the only game, indeed the only thing, that can bring the different ethnic groups in Afghanistan together. It can stop the use and abuse of drugs and prevent kids from shooting guns," he added.

As well as facing Iran, Afghanistan must also take on Qatar and Lebanon in their pursuit of a quarter-final place.

Although they are not expected to trouble the holders and their neighbors on Saturday, they still have plenty of reasons to put on a good show.

"We want to show people here and around the world that we are back playing again," said Ahmed.

"Being here and playing Iran is like being in a dream. You never know what will happen. It is impossible to forecast such things. "I can say that we will try our best."