Afghanistan ride Sediq hat-trick to beat Bhutan.

by Sujoy Dhar on 23 March, 2011 - 18:30

NEW DELHI, India (PAN) Riding on a brilliant hat-trick by Mohammad Sediq Walizada, Afghanistan humiliated Bhutan 3-0 in the pre-qualifying play-off of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 played at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon near India's capital New Delhi.

In a one sided encounter, Afghanistan were off to a dream start when Sediq drew first blood in the very second minute. It was no stopping for Afghanistan as they buttressed the lead before the break with one more goal.

Sediq received a pass from the centre and dodged past two Bhutanese defenders to place his left footer with ease in the 35th minute.

Bhutan had no answer to the Afghanistan onslaught and found themselves trailing throughout the match. On the other hand, Afghanistan could have increased the scoreline, but failed to convert a couple of chances that came their way with scoreline reading 2-0 at the lemon break.

A possible fight-back was far from Bhutan’s reach and they were once again outclassed by Afghanistan. They were lucky not to concede any more goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Sediq then notched up his hat-trick to seal the deal in favour of Afghanistan in style scoring the third goal in the 80th minute as Afghanistan strengthen their chances to book a place in the qualifying round of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012.

Bhutan will now have an uphill task and are in do-or-die situation to overcome the strong Afghanistan in the return leg match scheduled to be held on March 25.