Sri Lankan Contingent

Hosts Sri Lanka began their campaign in the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games with a 1-0 win over Maldives in Group A here on Monday.

The only goal of the match at the Sugathadasa Stadium was scored in the second half by substitute D.A. Nimal Fernando and this was Sri Lanka’s first win over Maldives in 15 years of SAF Games history.

Sri Lanka last defeated Maldives in 1991.

Soon after coming off the bench, Fernando injected a sense of urgency for the hosts and after collecting the ball 40 metres from the goal-line, dribbled past three defenders before whipping in an unstoppable goal past the Maldivian goalkeeper.

In Group B, India and Afghanistan played out a goalless draw after the Indians spurned three golden chances which could have given them three points.

The third game of the opening day was between Bangladesh and Nepal and ended in a 1-1 draw.