APL

The Roshan Afghan Premier League (RAPL) 2016, the fifth season, was another thrilling football campaign in Afghanistan. This season was followed by exhilarating and breathtaking competitions of eight teams, representing all 34 provinces. The RAPL 2016 draw put De Spinghar Bazan, Oqaban Hindukosh, Simorgh Alborz, and Mawjhai Amu in the group “B”. Group “A” on the other hand, known as the death group, was composed of Shaheen Asmayee, De Maiwand Atalan, Toofan Harirod, and De Abasin Sape.  The two winner teams of each group escalated to semi-finals. 

Simorgh Alborz and Mawjhai Amu of group “B” and Shaheen Asmayee and De Maiwand Atalan of group “A” advanced to RAPL 2016 semi-finals. Simorgh Alborz conceded 8-1 its away game to Shaheen Asmayee, however, won 3-2 the home game of the semi-finals, a late and insignificant win. Mawjhai Amu lost both semi-finals games to its strong opponent, De Maiwand Atalan. Later, Mawjhai Amu and Simorgh Alborz competed for the third position while De Maiwand Atalan and Shaheen Asmayee faced-off in the RAPL 2016 final. 

Triumphing 1-0 over Mawjhai Amu, Simorgh Alborz stood as the third position holder of RAPL 2016. Mawjhai Amu came in fourth. 

Following a closely contested affair pitch, De Mawiand Atalan competed against Shaheen Asmayee in the RAPL 2016 final. The unfortunate Atalan could not prevent a 2-1 defeat against Shaheen. With this loss, De Maiwand Atalan is known as RAPL 2016 runners-up. Shaheen Asmayee, Kabul’s favorite, etched its name on RAPL 2016 championship cup for the third time.  

The Best Player of Tournament award was presented to Yar Mohammad Zakarkhail, De Maiwand Atalan center-off. Shaheen Asmayee’s striker, Amrudin Sharifi won the Golden Boot award of RAPL 2016. The fifth season’s RAPL FIFA Fair-Play award presented to Toofan Harirod. 

At least 18.6 million viewers- in the country, as well as Afghans around the world, via the RAPL’s YouTube channel, watched the 2016 Championship match. Additionally, more than 7,000 spectators attended the final game at the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) stadium.

The match and highlights are available on the RAPL YouTube page (www.youtube.com/afghanpremierleague). More information about RAPL 2016 events can be found on (www.afghanpremierleague.com).