India to beat Maldives 2-0 and book a semifinal spot in the South Asian Football Federation Cup here on Sunday. Maiden international goals from Nikhil Poojary (36th minute) and Manvir Singh (45th) helped India defeat Maldives and finish on top of Group B with six points. India play Pakistan in the semifinal on Wednesday. Nikhil could have scored the opener in the 11th minute itself but despite getting all the power behind his header off a Anirudh Thapa cross, it sailed over the Maldives crossbar.

Nikhil and Lallianzuala Chhangte were constantly swapping positions on the wings and that stretched the rival defence. India eventually surged ahead in the 36th minute. After playing a one-two with Farukh Choudhary, Nikhil pounced on a loose ball and sent it past the rival side goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal. Manvir doubled the lead at the stroke of half time.