India thrash Lanka 9-1 in SAF hockey

COLOMBO: The second string Indian hockey team routed Sri Lanka 9-1 to storm into the final of the 10th South Asian Games in Matale on Tuesday.

India led 6-0 in the first half.

Gurvinder Chandi (seventh and 20th minutes) penalty corner specialist Raghunath (fourth and 38th) scored four goals between themselves, while Gurbaz Singh (second), Birender Lakra (21st), Senthil (31st), Sandeep Michael (49th) and William Xalco (53rd) struck once each.

W.M.A. Wickremasinghe scored the consolation goal for the hosts.

India had defeated Pakistan 2-0. They will play Bangladesh Wednesday.

In another match of the four-nation competition, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh 5-2.