India, seeking to win the title for the 10th time, had to be patient against a resilient Maldives, who needed a victory to stand a chance of going through.

The only goal came in the 38th minute after Abdul Rabeeh was brought down by Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf inside the box.

Suhail Bhat slotted the ensuring spot-kick into the bottom left corner for the third goal of his campaign and set up a semi-final against Bhutan, with Maldives eliminated.

Bhutan owed their progress to Bangladesh's emphatic 4-0 win against Sri Lanka.

Shamit Shome put Bangladesh ahead in the ninth minute with Hamza Choudhury doubling their advantage in first half stoppage time.

Any hope Sri Lanka, who drew 2-2 with Bhutan in their opener, had of fighting back was doused by Farhaan Ali Wahid's strike in the 53rd minute with Rakib Hossain adding the fourth just before the end of regulation time.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday.