India overpowered minnows Bhutan 3-0 to storm into the semifinals of the South Asian Football Federation championship in Karachi on Saturday.
For the winners, who led 1-0 at half-time, skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, Mahesh Gawli and Abdul Hakim scored a goal each.
Bhutan players put up a spirited fight against their formidable rivals and did not allow the Indians free run.
Bhaichung Bhutia put India ahead just before the break, and then Mahesh Gawli made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute. Abdul Hakeem completed the tally for the winners in the 66th minute.
This was India's second successive win in the tournament. They had beaten Nepal 2-1 in their opener of the eight-nation tournament.
Host Pakistan and Maldives have already made it to the last four of the tourney.
Indians face defending champions Bangladesh in their final league encounter on Monday.
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