New Delhi, August 26: Defending champions India unleashed an impressive show of attacking football to beat Sri Lanka 3-1 in a thrilling round-robin match and place themselves in a strong position for booking a final berth in the Nehru Cup international tournament here today.
Captain Bhaichung Bhutia (25th), Gouramangi Singh (69th) and Steven Dias (85th) scored for India while WDRD Warakagoda found the net in the 61st minute for Sri Lanka.
The home team, which produced their best performance of the tournament so far in a free-flowing match today, could have won by a bigger margin had not they wasted the chances galore that came their way.
India, who dominated for most part of the match, now have six points — from two wins and a loss — from three matches.
They next play Syria in their last match on August 29. They will be virtually through to the final if Syria beat or draw Lebanon tomorrow.
For most of the match, play remained at the Sri Lankan half and with midfielders NP Pradeep and Climax Lawrence shrugging off their indifferent form, the Indians made constant pressure at the Lankan goal.
Right winger Steven Dias was the livewire of the home team as he essayed several crosses into the Sri Lankan box.
Wing backs Surkumar Singh, who received a yellow card, and Mahesh Gawli also made overlapping runs down the flanks to make life difficult for the Lankans. .
—PTI