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Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch

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Two teams comprising people who last faced each other on the battlefield, during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan 1979-1989, clashed on Thursday – this time, on the football pitch.

Two teams comprising people who last faced each other on the battlefield, during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan 1979-1989, clashed on Thursday – this time, on the football pitch.

© RIA Novosti . Valery MelnikovTwo teams comprising people who last faced each other on the battlefield, during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan 1979-1989, clashed on Thursday – this time, on the football pitch.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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Two teams comprising people who last faced each other on the battlefield, during the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan 1979-1989, clashed on Thursday – this time, on the football pitch.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe “Soviet” delegation included 22 football enthusiasts hand-picked out of hundreds of applicants from across the post-Soviet space, all of whom fought in Afghanistan.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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The “Soviet” delegation included 22 football enthusiasts hand-picked out of hundreds of applicants from across the post-Soviet space, all of whom fought in Afghanistan.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe Kabul home side was made up of local football aficionados from the same age bracket – all participants have to be at least 40 years old.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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The Kabul home side was made up of local football aficionados from the same age bracket – all participants have to be at least 40 years old.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe game took place at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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The game took place at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThere were about 100-200 spectators in the stadium.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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There were about 100-200 spectators in the stadium.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThere was almost no pre-game publicity, otherwise the stadium would have been packed to capacity - about 5,000.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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There was almost no pre-game publicity, otherwise the stadium would have been packed to capacity - about 5,000.
© RIA Novosti . Valery MelnikovRumor had it the Afghan officials did not want spectators at the game for security reasons.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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Rumor had it the Afghan officials did not want spectators at the game for security reasons.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe match was played in two halves of 30 minutes each, shortened from the standard 45 minutes to compensate for the "Soviet" side's difficulty adapting to the altitude and climate.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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The match was played in two halves of 30 minutes each, shortened from the standard 45 minutes to compensate for the "Soviet" side's difficulty adapting to the altitude and climate.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe Soviet team, Shuravi, included some veterans who don't play well.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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The Soviet team, Shuravi, included some veterans who don't play well.
© RIA Novosti . Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankHowever, the Shuravi, won 1-0.
Soviet, Afghan Veterans Face Off on Football Pitch - Sputnik International
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However, the Shuravi, won 1-0.
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