DHAKA, Jan 12: Favourites India defeated debutants Afghanistan 4-0, while a spirited Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the South Asian Football Federation championship on Sunday.

Pakistan brightened their chance for a place in the semifinals with its victory against Sri Lanka.

After a goalless first half, Zahid Niaz put Pakistan ahead in the 48th minute with a fine header in a goal-mouth melee from a Sajjad Hussain cross at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Sarfaraz Rasool netted the second goal for Pakistan in the 85th minute, capitalizing on a rebound shot by Shahid.

Toward the end of the match, Sri Lankan S.K. Weerasinghe found the net with a fierce shot from the top of the box, reducing the margin to one goal. His goal came minutes after Sri Lanka missed their first chance to score when a header from Kasun Jayasuriya hit the cross bar.

Pakistan need only a draw against neighbouring Afghanistan in their last group match on Tuesday to confirm a seat in the semifinals.

Meawnhile, striker Ashim Biswas scored the first goal for India in the 30th minute. Biswas found the Afghan net for a second time in the second half, and substitute Alvito D. Cunha scored two more secondhalf goals.

The win gave champions India three points for the first time in the competition. India suffered a setback after losing to Pakistan 1-0 in the opening match Friday.

Afghanistan, making their debut in the championship, looked in disarray in the first half. But their players - five based in Germany - found their rhythm in the last 45 minutes.

Indian goalkeeper Nazeem Akhtar beautifully saved a powerful shot from midfielder Omar Nazar just before the end of the match, in one of the Afghans’ few second-half scoring chances.—APP/AP