India, Lanka make semis

India had already reached the final by winning against Maldives and Malaysia, in the four-team event. Lankans needed just a draw to edge past Maldives, who had four points from three encounters after their 2-1 win over Malaysia. Sri Lanka, with one win and a draw, earned another point after holding formidable India and a passage to the final.

The plucky Maldivians had levelled 2-2 with Sri Lanka in their preliminary match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Sri Lanka made an all out attempt to upset India and succeeded in getting a penalty kick in the second minute of the play.

But their hopes were thwarted by excellent goalkeeping by Mark Mascarenhas, who waslater carried off the field after sustaining an injury to be replaced by Sangram Mukherjee.

During Mascarenhas8217; absence Lankans managed to score their first goal soon after the interval, when Roshan Perera, who played for Mohun Bagan last season, penetrated Indian defence. India struck back immediately with Rajesh Kumar Pandey scoring an equaliser. Sri Lanka8217;s SP Wickramathileke was named the Best Player Of The Match8217;.