SAFF Championship: Title holders India ousted Pakistan to start the campaign in style

Defending champions India began their SAFF Championship 2026 title defense with a 3-2 win over Pakistan in their opening Group B match at the Dhaka National Stadium on Thursday, November 5. A dominant first-half display put the Blue Tigers in complete control, but two goals in stoppage time made for an unexpectedly tense finish.

Suhail Ahmad Bhat led India’s attack with a brace in the first half, while Maglenthang Kipgen added a third to give Naushad Moosa’s side a commanding advantage at the break. However, Pakistan only found their way on the scoresheet late in the match through Najeeb Ullah and Alamgir Ghazi, forcing India to hang on for the final moments.

India started cautiously, preferring to build from the back and gain control in midfield. Abhishek Suryavanshi operated in a deeper role as the Blue Tigers looked to dictate the tempo.

Bhat thought he had given India the lead in the 12th minute when he connected with an aerial delivery from Kipgen. However, the effort was ruled out for offside. The forward didn’t keep himself waiting long.

A minute later, Muhammad Suhail took possession of the ball from a left throw-in, drove forward and delivered a perfectly balanced ball into the penalty area. Bhat raced towards the six yard box and turned it home to give India the lead.

The forward struck again in the 19th minute, this time assisted by Suryavanshi. With Pakistan sitting deeper, the midfielder found space further up the pitch and split the defense with a precise through ball. Bhat timed his run well, got behind the touchline and finished first time into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Yousuf Butt with little chance.

India continued to exploit the space behind Pakistan’s defense and added a third in the 31st minute. Noufal PN brought the ball up the middle before releasing Kipgen with a pass into space behind the back line. Kipgen raced to the goal and calmly finished past the advancing Butt to make it 3-0.

Pakistan had a chance to pull one back before the break after Suryavanshi brought down Hayyaan Khattak in the penalty area. Shayak Dost took the penalty save but sent his effort over the crossbar to allow India to maintain their three-goal cushion.

Bhat almost completed his hat-trick just before half-time. The forward cut in from the right in the 45th minute and fired a left-footed shot from outside the box. His effort narrowly missed the mark and Butt was left stranded.

INDIA LOSING CONTROL LATE

The Blue Tigers continued to create chances after the restart and looked capable of extending their advantage. Adison Singh Thokchom found himself at goal but Butt denied him in a one-on-one situation. Kipgen and Farukh also had chances, although neither could find the target.

Despite their attacking intent, India failed to add to their first half lead. For most of the second period, Pakistan struggled to make a meaningful impact, while goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh had a relatively quiet evening.

That changed at the time of the shutdown.

Junaid Shah delivered a cross from the left in the 91st minute and Najeeb Ullah rose above the Indian defense to head past Shaikh. The goal gave Pakistan a lifeline, but India were soon under further pressure.

Three minutes later, McKeal Abdullah sent a cross into the penalty area from the right. Alamgir Ghazi took control of the game before finishing with an acrobatic effort to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

A late surge by Pakistan turned what looked like a comfortable Indian victory into a nervy finish. However, the Blue Tigers managed to take advantage of the remaining moments and collect all three points.

India will next face Maldives in their final Group B match on November 11 at 3:00 PM at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals.

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