The SAFF football championships were today saved of a major mishap after Afghanistan player Farzad Ghulam suffered a cardiac arrest during the semifinal match against Nepal at the Dasarath Stadium here.
The incident happened in the second half when Farzad collided with one of the Nepal forwards at the Afghan goal mouth and immediately fell down.
What initially looked like an injury due to an on-field tussle turned out to be a much more serious as the defender lay unconscious on the ground.
The Afghan players frantically pointed out towards their team bench seeking medical help. Farzad's heart stopped beating for a few seconds before life-saving CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) was given as the Ambulance rushed into the ground.
The played was whisked away to the nearby Blue Cross Nursing Home where his situation is understood to be stable.
According to the organisers, the doctors have termed it a mild cardiac arrest and his condition is said to be stable at this point of time.
