The 2011 AFC U13 Festival of Football (South Asian Zone) concluded in Yazd, Iran with Pakistan U13 boys finishing a highly commendable 3rd place over all.
According to latest press release from Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the U13 side coached by KESC’s Hassan Baloch and managed by PEL’s Asghar Khan Anjum lost its 7th match to Nepal U13 0-3, but then won its two remaining encounters with a 4-0 win over Bangladesh U13 and a staggering 16-0 demolition of Bhutan U13.
Pak U13 striker Munir Ahmed Baloch was given the festival’s top scorer award for his 10 goal haul.
More details of placings and results of other teams to follow.
It is interesting to see every country has its own version of interpretation from the results of this festival.
IRNA, formal news agency of Iran reported the ranking as 1. Iran 2. Afghanistan 3. India
However, Afghanistan Footaball Federation offcials told Bakhtar, Afghanistan formal news agency, Afghanistan clinched the tile with 18 points, 1 point ahead of Iran.
Afghanistan matches results:
AFG 2 – 1 Nepal
AFG 0 – 1 Iran
AFG 1 – 0 Pakistan
AFG 7 – 0 Yazd City
AFG 3 – 2 Sri Lanka
AFG 4 – 0 Nepal
AFG 3 – 0 Bhutan (Bhutan did not appear in the ground)
Iran had a number of draws, which means their overall points were decreased.
The strange thing is, even the AFC official website has not stated any results of these games at all.
So we dont even know who won what but can only rely on press releases from PFF!
AFC Festival is a developmental tournament.There is no standing or ranking and no team is declared as Winner or Second….But even then self made rankings are declared just to please top people who never bothered to check any official AFC declaration in this regard..No official ranking issued from AFC can be made available either on internet or otherwise….I am surprised that no one from high ups from any side came up on this issue….
Please send U-13, U-17 and U-19 for atleast one year long training to Brazil and hire some Brazilian players to play in Pakistan and for Brazilian Coach for National Team.