For Pakistan And Afghanistan, Soccer As Reconciliation
Afghanistan and Pakistan are better known for their verbal fights and occasional border clashes, but for the first time since 1976, they battled on a soccer field in Kabul.
Some 6,000 rabid Afghan fans cheered on their team, clad in red uniforms. There were horns, flags, and face paint. It looked like any soccer game in the world, except for all the riot police, snipers, and Blackhawk helicopters passing overhead periodically.
Ahmad Mirwais, a 27-year-old tailor, was one of those lucky enough to score a ticket.
"It's good to hold such events," says Mirwais. "The two countries criticize each other all the time in the media. Let's leave that behind and create sincere relations by holding sports matches."
Relations have been on the downslide this year.
There have been deadly clashes along the disputed border. Afghanistan continues to accuse Pakistan of hindering peace talks with the Taliban. Some Pakistani officials say President Hamid Karzai is an unreliable partner in that process. And each country accuses the other of harboring anti-government militants.
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