Dhaka, January 15: Sri Lanka upset Malaysia 2-1 in the group A match of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.

With the win Sri Lanka completed their mission with three points meaning Nepal and hosts Bangladesh who have four points each sealing semifinal slots from the group. Malaysia finished at the bottom with two points.

Sri Lanka took the lead in the 19th minute against the flow. A quick counter attack saw midfielder Azar Mohammed Shaheel cut a through pass to Sundarj Niresh at the left edge of the box, Niresh cut the ball back to A.N.D Bandara whose toe pocked ball hit the side post before entering the middle post net (1-0)

Malaysia was unfortunate in the 36th minute when forward Bobby Gonzalez saw his side volley on a cross of G. Devasagayam bounce back to the pitch rocking the crosspiece.

In the added time of the first half Bobby Gonzalez again let his team down  failing to place the ball past Sri Lankan goalie Ruwan Anurasiri in a one to one situation.

Sri Lanka sealed the victory in the 63rd minute when midfielder Chalana Chameera stormed past the Malaysian defence and pushed a forward pass to A.c. Sanjeewa, Sanjeewa blasted home from a close range(2-0)

Malaysia reduced the margin in the 82nd minute with Nor Fazli Alias heading home a cross of Muhammad Hadin Zaman (2-1).