Tournament favourites India got off to a winning start, defeating Nepal 2-1 in a hard-fought Pool B match in the sixth South Asian Football Federation championship in Karachi on Thursday.

All the goals came in the first half.

Midfielder Mehtab Hussain scored both the goals for India, in the sixth and 27 minutes, while Basanta Thapa accounted foer Nepal's goal, scored in the 10th minute.

Defending champions Bangladesh also started their campaign in style, beating minnows Bhutan 3-0 in another Pool B match.

India are now placed second on the Pool table with Bangladesh topping on better goal average.

The eight-nation championship got underway on Wednesday. Hosts Pakistan and Maldives won their opening Pool A matches, defeating Sri Lanka and Afghanistan respectively.