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India hold Bangladesh, face Maldives in semis

December 13, 2005 16:06 IST

Three-time winners India were held to a 1-1 draw by defending champions Bangladesh in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Karachi.

With the draw, Bangladesh and India have equal points, but the former topped Group B on goal average.

Bangladesh will now take on Group 'A' runners-up and hosts Pakistan, while Group B runners-up India will take on Group 'A' winners Maldives in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

India dominated the match especially in the first half and midfielder Climax Lawrence put India ahead in the 17th

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minute.

But, they were reduced to 10 men in the 42nd minute after Sri Lankan referee H Dilan Perera gave the marching orders to India player Mehraj Din Wadoo for dissent.

For Bangladesh, Zahid Hasan Ameli restored parity in the 77th minute.

Meanwhile, in an inconsequential match, Nepal beat Bhutan 3-1.

Surendra Tamang, Basanta Thapa and Bijay Gurung were on target for Nepal while Bikash Pradhan scored a consolation goal for Bhutan.

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