Summary India defeated Maldives 1-0, confirming Pakistan’s semi-final qualification from Group B, with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka contesting Group A positions.
DHAKA (Web Desk) - India defeated Maldives 1-0 in the SAFF Championship 2026, securing Pakistan’s qualification for the semi-finals.
Pakistan are second in Group B with three points, while India lead the group with six points.
In the match played at Dhaka’s National Stadium, Suhail Ahmed Bhatt scored the decisive goal for India from the penalty spot in the 38th minute. India were awarded the penalty after a Maldives player fouled Abdul Rabia inside the box.
Maldives suffered defeats in both their group matches, failing to score while conceding four goals.
Pakistan began their campaign with a 3-2 defeat against India but bounced back by beating Maldives 3-0 in their second match. Najeebullah Khan, the 19-year-old striker, scored twice in the first half of that encounter.
Pakistan scored five goals and conceded three during the group stage, finishing with a goal difference of plus two.
Pakistan will face the winners of Group A in the semi-final on Saturday, November 14.
In Group A, hosts Bangladesh secured a semi-final place after defeating Bhutan 1-0, while Sri Lanka and Bhutan played out a 2-2 draw.
Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in their final group match today. A Bangladesh victory or draw will secure top spot in the group, setting up a semi-final against Pakistan. However, if Sri Lanka win, they will finish first and face Pakistan.
Meanwhile, India, who have secured top spot in Group B, will face the runners-up of Group A in the second semi-final. The tournament final will be played on November 17.
