Daka, Bangladesh: Defending champions India began their TECNO SAFF Championship 2026 campaign with a 3–2 victory over Pakistan in their Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday, November 5.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice in the first half before Manglenthang Kipgen added a third to give India a commanding 3–0 lead at the break. Pakistan, however, mounted a late comeback with two stoppage-time goals through Adil Nabi and Alamgir Ghazi, but the Blue Tigers held on to secure all three points.
India started cautiously, building patiently from the back and seeking to establish control through the midfield, with Abhishek Suryavanshi operating in a deep role.
Bhat thought he had opened the scoring in the 12th minute after connecting with an aerial delivery from Kipgen, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The forward found the net a minute later. Muhammad Suhail collected the ball from a throw-in on the left, drove forward and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area. Bhat arrived at the six-yard box to turn the ball home and put India ahead.
India doubled their advantage in the 19th minute, with Suryavanshi providing the assist. As Pakistan dropped deeper, the midfielder moved further up the pitch and delivered a precise, line-breaking pass through the defence. Bhat timed his run perfectly, broke clear of the backline and calmly finished first time into the far corner, beyond goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.
The Blue Tigers continued to exploit the space behind Pakistan’s defence and made it 3–0 in the 31st minute. Noufal PN carried the ball forward through the middle before releasing Kipgen with a pass behind the defence. The midfielder ran onto the delivery and finished past the advancing Butt to extend India’s lead.
Pakistan had an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Suryavanshi brought down Hayyaan Khattak from behind inside the penalty area. However, Shayak Dost sent the resulting penalty over the crossbar, allowing India to maintain their three-goal advantage.
Bhat came close to completing his hat-trick just before half-time. Cutting in from the right in the 45th minute, he unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box, but his shot went narrowly wide, with Butt rooted to the spot.
India continued to control proceedings after the restart and created several opportunities to increase their lead. Adison Singh Thokchom was denied by Butt in a one-on-one situation, while Kipgen and Farukh also had attempts that failed to find the target. Despite their chances, Naushad Moosa’s side were unable to add to their first-half tally.
Pakistan eventually found a way back into the contest during stoppage time. Junaid Shah delivered a cross from the left in the 91st minute, with Adil Nabi rising highest to head the ball past Arsh Anwer Shaikh, who had seen little action for most of the match.
Three minutes later, Pakistan scored again. McKeal Abdullah delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area, which Alamgir Ghazi controlled before finishing with an acrobatic effort to reduce the deficit to 3–2.
Despite the late pressure, India held on to claim victory and make a winning start to their title defence.
The result gives India three points in Group B, while Pakistan will look to respond in their next fixture against the Maldives on Sunday.
The Maldives will face Pakistan in their next group match on Sunday before taking on defending champions India on Wednesday.
