New Delhi: AFC Challenge Cup 2012 hosts Nepal were denied a place in the 2011 SAFF Championship final after being edged 1-0 in extra-time by Afghanistan in their semi-final clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.
After neither side could break the deadlock in in the regulation 90 minutes the match moved into extra-time and 11 minutes into the first period Belal Arezou emerged as Afghanistan's hero when he fired home inside the box after being set up by a super back-heel pass from Sanjar Ahmadi.
Afghanistan, who are appearing in the SAFF Championship final for the first time, will take on India in Sunday's final after the SAFF champions defeated fellow 2012 AFC Challenge Cup participants the Maldives 3-1 in the other semi-final.
