Rwanda in semis of men's football

Substitute Jimmy Iraguha scored a brace as Rwanda came from behind to defeat Malaysia 2-1 and book a place in the semi-finals in the football competition of the inaugural Afro Asian Games at the Goshamahal stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Needing a victory to book a semi-final berth from Group A, both the teams started with a cautious approach. But Malaysia drew first blood when Mohd Amri Yahyah found the net in the 28th minute through a header off a cross from Ahmad Norafandy.

Rwanda, who went into the breather a goal in arrears, came back strongly and almost restored parity in the 51st minute through Iraguha, who was however ruled off-side.

But the Africans kept the pressure and Iraguha levelled the score in the 81st minute before finding the net again a minute before full-time, when he netted a cross from Sibomana to take his team into the semi-finals.

India have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group A while Uzbekistan made the cut from Group B.

The fourth semi-finalist is yet to be decided.

A happy Rwandan coach Dujkovic Ratomir expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, adding he is looking forward to the semi-finals.