India        1    Sri Lanka       1

DHAKA, Jan 14: India joined Pakistan in the semifinals of the South Asian soccer championship after drawing 1-1 against Sri Lanka in the final minutes of their group game Tuesday.

After squandering several chances, striker Ashim Biswas scored for India in the 88th minute, kicking in a rebound from team mate Im Vijayan, who was stopped by Sri Lankan goalkeeper S.S. Devinda.

But an equalizer by Sri Lankan substitute N. Abeysekara just a minute later in the 89th minute, failed to secure his team a place in the semifinals.

Although both India and Sri Lanka gained four points and were group A runners-up after losing their group matches against Pakistan and winning against Afghanistan, India goes through on goal difference to the semifinals.

Earlier on Tuesday, a lone first-half goal by Sarfaraz Rasool against Afghanistan in their last group match clinched Pakistan a spot in the semifinals.

Rasool, who scored a goal in each of Pakistan’s two previous group matches, capitalized on a right-side cross from Qadeer Ahmed and netted the ball from the penalty box in the ninth minute of play.

Afghanistan, fired by three players who play in German third division clubs, made some good attacks but lacked good finishing. Two of their long-range shots in the second half were easily stopped by Pakistan’s goalkeeper, Jaffar Khan.

“We are happy just to be taking part in the tournament. ... We played very well against Sri Lanka and Pakistan and we need time to do better,” Afghanistan’s coach, Ali Asghar, told reporters after Tuesday’s match.

Afghanistan, who made its debut in the championship, will go home without a win after losing all its group matches.

Pakistan now tops group-A with after winning all three of its group matches, including the tournament opener against favourites India and the second match against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will meet the runner-up of group B in the first semifinal on Saturday. Host Bangladesh, who lead group B, is the other confirmed semifinalist.

Today’s fixtures: Nepal v Maldives; Bangladesh v Bhutan.