Afghanistan v Lithuania
Afghanistan (6) v Lithuania (5)
Sometimes the most unlikely fixtures can throw up the most entertaining games.Not only were the colours bright here - the Afghans play in glowing orange and Lithuania in canary yellow - but the football was a shining example of how two unfancied nations can make their mark at the HWC.
The Afghans are fast gaining a sturdy reputation. Their young squad play an energetic and skillful game allied to some ferocious shooting from No.6 Mutjab and No.8 Abdullah whose powerful blasts with left and right foot kept a tenacious Lithuania pegged back throughout.
The yellow-shirted No.10 though refused to let the Orange wave engulf him and scored some crucial goals to keep the eastern Europeans in touch. But skill won the day, as it should, and Afghanistan gave their vocal support some stress free moments to enjoy at the death, playing keep ball and holding their increasingly desperate opponents at bay.
Joel Dimmock