SAFF Championship: Title-holders India beat Pakistan to begin campaign in style
Defending champions India began their SAFF Championship 2026 title defence with a 3-2 win over Pakistan in their Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka 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 charge with a first-half brace, while Manglenthang Kipgen added the third to give Naushad Moosa's side a commanding advantage at the interval. Pakistan, however, found their way onto the scoresheet late in the game through Najeeb Ullah and Alamgir Ghazi, forcing India to hold on for the final moments.
India began cautiously, preferring to build from the back and establish 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 did not have to wait long for another opportunity.
A minute later, Muhammad Suhail collected possession from a throw-in on the left, drove forward and delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the penalty area. Bhat made his run towards the six-yard box and turned it home to put India ahead.
The forward struck again in the 19th minute, this time with Suryavanshi providing the assist. With Pakistan sitting deeper, the midfielder found space further up the pitch and split the defence with a precise through ball. Bhat timed his run well, got behind the backline and finished first time into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Yousuf Butt with little chance.
India continued to exploit the space behind Pakistan's defence and added a third in the 31st minute. Noufal PN carried the ball through the middle before releasing Kipgen with a pass into the space behind the backline. Kipgen ran onto the delivery 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 inside the penalty area. Shayak Dost stepped up to take the resulting penalty but sent his effort over the crossbar, allowing India to retain their three-goal cushion.
Bhat nearly completed his hat-trick just before half-time. The forward cut inside from the right in the 45th minute and unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box. His effort narrowly missed the target, with Butt left stranded.INDIA LOSE CONTROL LATE
The Blue Tigers continued to create chances after the restart and looked capable of extending their advantage. Adison Singh Thokchom found himself through on goal but was denied by Butt in a one-on-one situation. Kipgen and Farukh also had opportunities, though neither could find the target.
Despite their attacking intent, India were unable to add to their first-half tally. For much of the second period, Pakistan struggled to make meaningful inroads, while goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh had a relatively quiet evening.
Junaid Shah delivered a cross from the left in the 91st minute, and Najeeb Ullah rose above the Indian defence to head the ball 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 brought the delivery under control before finishing with an acrobatic effort to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Pakistan's late surge turned what had looked like a comfortable Indian victory into a nervy finish. However, the Blue Tigers managed to see out the remaining moments and collect all three points.
India will next take on Maldives in their final Group B fixture on November 11 at 15:00 at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.- Ends
