Defending champion India got their SAFF Championship 2026 Group B campaign off to a flying start on Saturday, beating tough opponents Pakistan by 3-2 in the National Stadium, Dhaka. The Blue Tigers had an electric first-half showing to establish a three-goal lead before fending off a late Pakistan blitz in the final moments of the game.
First Half Dominance by the Blue Tigers
India made a strong impression on the game from the get-go, dominating the defending side with fast paced attacks. It was in the 13th minute when Suhail Ahmad Bhat found the right target in the penalty area to score the first goal for India.
The young striker never showed signs of stopping and levelled the score after six minutes in the 19th minute. The midfielder Abhishek Suryavanshi provided an opportunistic assist and Bhat went clinical to double his tally to put India in charge.
India never looked back and Manglenthang Kipgen added to the score line with a well-taken shot in the 32nd minute, giving them a 3-0 advantage. The defending champions were in a dominant three-goal lead going into the half-time break as they had outplayed Pakistan in all departments.
Late Drama in Dhaka as Pakistan Fights Back
Pakistan regained their focus in the second half and started to get into the swing of things, though India had being a good timekeeper for much of the second half. However, with the remaining few minutes of the game, Pakistan built up a late momentum and drew the audience into a frenzy.
Najeeb Ullah introduced Pakistan in the game in the 90th minute and headed a cross over the Indian goal to get the hosts back in the game. In the third minute of stoppage time, Ali Khan Ghazi found the net for Pakistan to set up a tense and frantic end to the rivalry match.
In the face of pressure in the last few minutes, they were seen playing the calm game and keeping their lead of one goal as long as the final whistle, earning all three important points to begin their campaign at the top of the table in Group B.
Group B Landscape and Next Matches
With the first game of the group stage, India are in Group B win-win position with three points and a positive goal difference. Pakistan are in last place of the group table after the first loss, while Maldives are yet to kick off their tourney as a group.
The Group B action is still on-going in Dhaka as Pakistan is now competing with Maldives on November 8, 2026. India will return to the pitch on 11th November 2026 when they face Maldives and secure a semi-final berth.
Match Highlights
- Early Double: Forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat struck twice in six minutes (13′, 19′) to put India into a rapid 2–0 lead.
- Three-Goal Cushion: Midfielder Manglenthang Kipgen added India’s third in the 31st minute to establish a commanding 3–0 halftime advantage.
- Penalty Missed: Pakistan missed a golden opportunity to get back into the match before halftime when Shayak Dost sent his penalty kick over the crossbar.
- Stoppage-Time Fightback: Pakistan mounted a furious late rally with goals from Najeeb Ullah (90+1′) and an acrobatic volley by Alamgir Ghazi (90+4′).
- Winning Start: India held off the late pressure to seal all three points and take early control of Group B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who won the India vs Pakistan match in SAFF Championship 2026?
A1. India won the match with a final score of 3-2 against Pakistan in their Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
Q2. Who scored the goals for India against Pakistan?
A2. Suhail Ahmad Bhat netted two goals in the 13th and 19th minutes and Manglenthang Kipgen scored the third in the 32nd minute.
Q3. When is India’s next match in the SAFF Championship 2026?
A3. India will play Maldives in their second and last Group B game on November 11, 2026.
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