It was hosts India's third title and it was richly deserved after having dominated the tournament with impressive victories, which saw them score 28 goals in their five-match winning run.

Hosts India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 4-0 to finish top of the pool while Nepal defeated Bhutan 6-0 at the Kalyani Stadium to finish second.

Bangladesh, who had lost 4-1 to Nepal on Tuesday, needed to beat India by a two-goal margin to finish second but the hosts walked away with an emphatic result.

Nepal produced the first upset of the tournament in defeating previously perfect Bangaldesh 4-1 while India strolled past Sri Lanka 5-0 for their third consecutive win at the Kalyani Stadium.

Bangladesh overcame early resistance to defeat Bhutan 5-2 while Nepal, who had lost 5-0 to hosts India in their opening match on Wednesday, defeated Sri Lanka 2-0.

Final: Thailand 1-2 Malaysia

In a rematch of their Group B fixture less than a week ago, Thailand came into the match as favourites after beating defending champions Indonesia in the semi-finals.

A second-half strike from Abdulfatoh Khudoidodzoda ultimately sealed the title for Tajikistan, who won four matches in a row to finish the five-match programme on top of the table with 13 points.

Earlier in the day, Uzbekistan had kept their hopes of an improbable final day title bid alive with a thumping win over Turkmenistan, but Tajikistan’s success in the later match meant Azamat Abduraimov’s side finished as runners-up

Saudi Arabia, who had defeated Syria 3-0 in their opening second round league match on Sunday, turned on the power after going behind to Adham Alrefai's 23rd minute strike.