Defending champions India put up a scrappy performance but still managed to secure a semi-final berth by holding a spirited Sri Lanka to a 1-1 draw in their last Group A league match in the South Asian Football Federation tournament in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Needing only a draw to make it to the last four stage of the tournament which they have traditionally dominated, the Indians were a pale shadow of themselves but lucky enough to stay on course for a hat-trick of titles.

India qualified for the semi-finals as the second-placed team in the group behind Pakistan, who won all their three league matches.

After a barren opening session, young striker Ashim Biswas put the defending champions into the lead just two minutes before the long whistle.

But the Indians' joy was shortlived as the islanders managed to restore parity in the very next minute through substitute A Chrysantha.

Handicapped by the absence of four key players, including star striker Baichung Bhutia, the Indians struggled to strike up a rhythm against the Sri Lankans, who allowed them very little room to manoeuvre.

Although both India and Sri Lanka completed their league engagements with four points each, India moved into the semi-finals on a better goal difference.

The Indians were guilty of frittering away a number of scoring opportunities that came their way, with Biswas being the worst offender.