India move in to SAFF semis

India [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] have already made it to the last four of the tourney.

Indians face defending champions Bangladesh in their final league encounter on Monday.