Dhaka: A first-half penalty from Suhail Ahmad Bhat and a series of crucial saves by goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey helped defending champions India secure a 1-0 victory over Maldives and book their place in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 as Group B toppers on Wednesday.
Playing their final group-stage fixture at the National Stadium in Dhaka, India produced a disciplined performance to finish with six points from two wins. Pakistan ended second with three points, while Maldives were eliminated without registering a point.
India will now face either hosts Bangladesh, Bhutan or Sri Lanka in the semi-finals on November 14. Their opponents will be confirmed following the concluding Group A fixture between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka later on Wednesday.
Head coach Naushad Moosa made seven changes to the starting eleven that had secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Pakistan. Abhishek Suryavanshi, Muhammed Uvais, Suhail Ahmad Bhat and Ricky Shabong were among the players retained, while Priyansh Dubey was handed the goalkeeping responsibility. Chinglensana Singh Konsham wore the captain’s armband.
India made a positive start, with Bhat testing Maldives goalkeeper Hussain Shareef with an early near-post attempt. However, the breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute through a penalty.
Abdul Rabeeh won possession from Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf before being brought down inside the penalty area by the Maldivian defender. Bhat stepped up and confidently converted from the spot, sending Shareef the wrong way and placing the ball into the bottom-left corner.
The goal marked Bhat’s third of the tournament, following his impressive first-half brace against Pakistan. Manglenthang Kipgen had scored India’s other goal in that encounter.
India made two changes at the interval, bringing on Irfan Yadwad and Manglenthang Kipgen for Rabeeh and Macarton Nickson. Vishnu PV subsequently replaced Bhat in the 65th minute.
Maldives pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but goalkeeper Dubey stood firm to protect India’s advantage. He denied Ali Hamdhaan’s free-kick in the 79th minute before making another important save against Muzdhaan Hassan five minutes later.
Dubey produced his most decisive intervention deep into stoppage time, rushing off his line to block Ethan Ibrahim Zaki’s close-range effort with his face, ensuring India walked away with all three points and a clean sheet.
The result also reflected an improved defensive performance from the Indian side after their late defensive lapses against Pakistan, when they conceded twice in stoppage time despite establishing a commanding three-goal lead before half-time.
This time, Moosa’s men managed the closing stages more effectively, with Dubey’s outstanding goalkeeping proving crucial as India completed their group campaign on a winning note.
India Starting XI: Priyansh Dubey (GK), Chinglensana Singh Konsham (C), Abhishek Suryavanshi, Abdul Rabeeh (Manglenthang Kipgen 46′), Muhammed Uvais, Suhail Ahmad Bhat (Vishnu PV 65′), Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Ricky Shabong, Macarton Nickson (Irfan Yadwad 46′), Sandip Mandi, Brison Fernandes (Ebindas Yesudasan 78′).
