Suhail Bhat scores twice as India beat Pakistan in SAFF opener
Defending champions India secured a 3-2 victory against Pakistan in their Group B match at Dhaka's National Stadium on Thursday.
Defending champions India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in their SAFF Championship 2026 Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday. Muhammad Suhail Bhat scored two goals, while Manglenthang Kipgen added a third to give India a 3-0 lead before the break.
Bhat opened the scoring in the 13th minute by finishing a cross from the left flank. He doubled the lead in the 19th minute after controlling a through ball from Ricky to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Kipgen made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute by lifting the ball over the keeper after being played through by Noufal.
Pakistan scored twice during stoppage time to reduce the deficit. Najeeb Ullah scored in the 90+1 minute, followed by Alamgir Ghazi in the 90+4 minute, who scored with a scissor kick volley.
Under-23 coach Naushad Moosa fielded a second-string side as the match falls outside the FIFA international window. According to News18, Moosa had only 17 footballers available because several Indian Super League (ISL) clubs had not yet released players.
Pakistan also missed key players, including Danish-born defender Abdullah Iqbal, who plays for Sweden's Mjällby AIF. The match fell outside the FIFA international window for both sides.
India is scheduled to play the Maldives on November 11. The senior team is also set to travel for two international friendlies against New Zealand on November 12 and 15.
