ISLAMABAD, March 29: Sri Lanka Monday defeated Nepal one-nil in an opening day football match at the ninth South Asian Federation (SAF) games. Sri Lanka's Mohammad Azmeer Lathif breached Nepal's strong defence to score the sole goal in the second half of the match at Army Stadium Rawalpindi.

The win brightens Sri Lanka's chances for earning a semifinal place. In the first matches on Sunday, Pakistan handed a 3-0 defeat to SAF newcomers Afghanistan in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

India and defending champions Bangladesh played a 0-0 draw, and the match between Bhutan and Nepal also ended in a goalless draw. Pakistan will play traditional rival India while Bangladesh will face Afghanistan on Tuesday. -APP

Sri Lanka 1 Nepal 0

Pakistan 3 Afghanistan 0

India 0 Bangladesh 0

Bhutan 0 Nepal 0