India rode on a brace by skipper Bhaichung Bhutia as they beat Turkmenistan 2-1 and enter the semis of the AFC Cup Tournament.

Played under heavy ground conditions at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, the 32-year-old Indian skipper showed his class to score in the 54th and 80th minute to take the hosts at the top of Group A with seven points from two wins and one draw.

However, Turkmenistan reduced the margin in the 82nd minute through second half substitute Yusup Orazmamedov.

Throughout the match India's back four were spot on and the midfield up to the task with forwards Bhaichung and Sunil Chhetri creating havoc whenever the hosts raided the rival defence.

In the first half, both India and Turkmenistan made several goal-bound moves and on more than one occasions both the teams were lucky to escape unscathed.

Backed by 3000-odd crowd, the best attendance so far at the Gachibowli Stadium, the Indians played their hearts out but it took 54 minutes for the hosts to open their account when Chhetri's chest push in the Turkmenistan half found Baichung. The veteran's left-footer beat the diving goalkeeper and rolled into the right corner of the net to the wild celebrations of the home crowd.

The Sikkimese forward completed his brace 10 minutes from full time by making a glancing header from a Renedy Singh corner kick.

Turkmenistan reduced the margin within two minutes through Yusup Orazmamedov but it was too little and too late.