Key points
- India defeated Maldives 1-0 in their final Group B match of the SAFF Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 11.
- Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, with some live score feeds recording the goal at 39 minutes.
- India finished the group stage with six points from two matches after previously beating Pakistan 3-2.
- The result confirmed India's place in the semi-finals and secured top spot in Group B.
- Maldives ended their group campaign without a point after losing 3-0 to Pakistan in their opening match.
- India entered the match as defending champions and were seeking a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
India booked their place in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 after defeating Maldives 1-0 in their final Group B match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 11. Suhail Ahmad Bhat converted a first-half penalty to give the defending champions their second consecutive victory and finish the group stage with six points.
The result confirmed India at the top of Group B, following their 3-2 win over Pakistan in the opening fixture. Bhat, who had scored twice against Pakistan, was again decisive for the Blue Tigers, this time from the penalty spot.
Suhail Bhat's penalty settles the contest
India dominated possession for long spells but found it difficult to break down a compact Maldives defence in the opening half. The breakthrough arrived after Abdul Rabeeh was brought down inside the penalty area. Bhat stepped up and converted the spot-kick in the 38th minute, with some live score feeds recording the goal at 39 minutes.
The penalty gave India the lead in a match where clear chances were limited. Maldives attempted to stay organised and frustrate the Indian attack, but the goal meant they had to take greater risks as the game progressed.
India were unable to add another goal, but the single strike was enough to secure all three points. The Blue Tigers managed the advantage through the remainder of the match to close out a narrow victory and complete their group campaign with a perfect record.
India finish Group B with two wins
India entered the Maldives match after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Pakistan on November 5. Suhail Bhat scored twice in that game, while Manglenthang Kipgen added India's third goal. Pakistan scored twice in stoppage time, but India held on to take the points.
The 1-0 win over Maldives took India to six points from two matches. The defending champions had needed only a draw to ensure qualification and top spot before kick-off, according to the pre-match information published by News On AIR. The victory made the outcome clear and sent India into the knockout stage as Group B leaders.
Maldives, meanwhile, finished their group campaign without a point. They had lost their opening match 3-0 to Pakistan on November 8, leaving them with a difficult task against India. The defeat to the defending champions ended their campaign at the group stage.
Defending champions move into the semi-finals
India are the defending champions and the most successful team in the history of the SAFF Championship. The team in Bangladesh is being guided by Under-23 coach Naushad Moosa, while the senior national team is scheduled to play international friendlies against New Zealand during the same window.
The group-stage squad includes a number of young players looking to make an impression at senior international level. Bhat's contribution has been particularly important: his two goals against Pakistan and the penalty against Maldives made him a key figure in India's progress from Group B.
India will now turn their attention to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 14. Their opponent will be determined by the conclusion of the other group. The team will aim to carry the confidence of two wins into the knockout stage as they pursue a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
Maldives unable to find a response
Maldives entered the match needing a positive result after their opening defeat to Pakistan. They kept India at bay for much of the first half, but the penalty conceded before the interval put them behind. India were able to protect the lead and restrict the visitors from finding an equaliser.
The final scoreline reflected a close contest rather than a high-scoring encounter. India's defence held firm after Bhat's penalty, while the attacking side did enough to secure the result required to confirm their place in the last four.
India's route to the SAFF semi-finals
The two Group B victories give India a strong start to their title defence. The 3-2 win over Pakistan showed their attacking potential, while the 1-0 result against Maldives demonstrated their ability to secure a result in a tighter match. Both games featured Suhail Bhat on the scoresheet.
With six points and first place in the group, India advance to the semi-finals with their campaign still on track. The next challenge will be a knockout fixture on November 14, where the defending champions will look to move one step closer to another regional title.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of India vs Maldives in the SAFF Championship 2026?
India defeated Maldives 1-0 in their Group B match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 11, 2026. Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the first half, giving India a second win in two group matches.
Who scored for India against Maldives?
Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored India's winning goal against Maldives. He converted a first-half penalty in the 38th minute, with some live score services listing the goal at 39 minutes. The spot-kick proved decisive in India's 1-0 victory in Dhaka.
Did India qualify for the SAFF Championship 2026 semi-finals?
Yes. India's 1-0 victory over Maldives confirmed their place in the semi-finals. The win gave the defending champions six points from two Group B matches, following their 3-2 victory over Pakistan in the opening fixture.
How many points did India finish with in Group B?
India collected six points from two matches in Group B, winning both fixtures. They beat Pakistan 3-2 before defeating Maldives 1-0. The two victories secured India's progression to the semi-finals and first place in the group.
Where was the India vs Maldives SAFF Championship match played?
The India vs Maldives Group B match was played at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 11, 2026. It was India's second and final group-stage fixture in the 2026 SAFF Championship.