Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
Afghanistan are hoping to do a repeat of 2013 when they were crowned South Asian champions after defeating India 2-0 in the final in Nepal. This is the last time they will play in the competition as they will join the newly formed Central Asian Football Association next year. They are the highest ranked team in the competition (150) and take on 182nd ranked Bangladesh in their first match in the group stage this afternoon. Afghanistan are widely tipped to win back to back trophies and they come into the competition on the back of a 3-0 World Cup Qualifier win against Cambodia. Leading the line for the Afghans will be Balal Arezou who plays for Moss in the Norwegian 3rd division. He has scored 9 times in 20 appearances for his country and is one of the player to watch in the tournament. 17 players in the squad are plying their trade in different in clubs in foreign leagues (15 in European leagues), more than any other team in the tournament.
Bangladesh ended a 10 match winless run when they defeated Nepal 1-0 in a friendly last week. The 182n ranked team have failed to qualify from the group stages in the last two South Asian Championships and are tipped for the same destiny this time around. Jamal Bhuyian will miss the game today due to lack of match fitness and Moneam Raju is expected to take his place in the center of the midfield. They also have to do without their talisman striker Jahid Hasan Ameli who is out injured. Bangladesh’s all time leading scorer and most capped player was ruled out just before the start of the tournament and leaves Bangladesh short on striking options.
We believe Afghanistan are just a little bit too strong here and will start their last SAFF Championship with a win.
Date & Time: 24 Dec 2015 – 14.00 CET
League: South Asian Championship
Match: Afghanistan – Bangladesh
Pick: Afghanistan Asian Hcp -0.5, -1
Highest Odds: 1.725 @ bet365
Stake: 10 EUR
Rating: 1/5
Result: 4-0, bet won!
