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India Beat Maldives 1-0 to Reach SAFF Semi-Finals as Group Toppers

Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored a 38th minute penalty in Dhaka and goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey held firm late on as the defending champions finished Group B with six points and set up a semi-final against Bhutan.

By Orbit Post2 min read
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India Beat Maldives 1-0 to Reach SAFF Semi-Finals as Group Toppers

Key points

  • India beat Maldives 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 as Group B winners.
  • Maldives needed a win to stand a chance of going through, and they defended in numbers for long spells.
  • The goal was Bhat's third of the tournament.

India beat Maldives 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 as Group B winners. A 38th minute penalty from Suhail Ahmad Bhat settled a tight final group match, and the defending champions closed the group stage with six points from two games.

Bhat scores from the spot

Maldives needed a win to stand a chance of going through, and they defended in numbers for long spells. The breakthrough came seven minutes before half time. Abdul Rabeeh took the ball off defender Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf and was brought down by him inside the box. Bhat stepped up and placed the penalty into the bottom left corner, sending goalkeeper Hussain Shareef the wrong way.

The goal was Bhat's third of the tournament. He scored twice in the first half of India's 3-2 win over Pakistan in their opening match, and he has carried the scoring load for the side through the group stage.

Dubey holds the line late

Maldives pushed forward in the closing minutes and India had to defend their box. Goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey made a series of late saves to protect the lead, including a stoppage time block with his face, according to the All India Football Federation media release carried by ANI. India saw out the final minutes without conceding and finished the match with a clean sheet.

The result ended the group stage for all three Group B teams. India took first place with six points. Pakistan progressed as runners-up with three points. Maldives went out without a point.

Bangladesh and Bhutan come through Group A

The semi-final line-up was completed later on Wednesday in Group A. Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 4-0 to win the group. Shamit Shome opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Hamza Choudhury doubled the lead in first half stoppage time. Farhaan Ali Wahid scored in the 53rd minute and Rakib Hossain added the fourth near the end of normal time. Sri Lanka's defeat meant Bhutan took second place in the group on goal difference.

India will face Bhutan in the semi-finals on Saturday, November 14. India are seeking the title for the 10th time, according to the Asian Football Confederation. Bangladesh and Pakistan meet in the other semi-final pairing from the two groups.

Timeline

  1. Nov 11, 2026Bhat scores a 38th minute penalty and India beat Maldives 1-0 in Dhaka to top Group B with six points.
  2. Nov 11, 2026Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 4-0 to win Group A, and Bhutan take second place in the group on goal difference.
  3. Nov 14, 2026India face Bhutan in the SAFF Championship semi-finals.

Sources