India Beat Maldives 1-0 to Reach SAFF Championship 2026 Semi-Finals

A first-half penalty from Suhail Ahmad Bhat proved decisive, keeping the Blue Tigers’ campaign firmly on track as they continued their impressive run in the tournament.

The closely contested match took place at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where India showed composure to protect their narrow lead and secure all three points.

India vs Maldives: How Did the Match Unfold?

The decisive moment arrived in the 38th minute when India were awarded a penalty after Abdul Rabeeh was brought down inside the box by Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf.

Suhail Ahmad Bhat stepped up and converted the spot-kick, giving India the breakthrough they needed before half-time.

Despite efforts from Maldives to find an equaliser, India held their defensive shape and maintained their advantage until the final whistle.

SAFF Championship 2026: India Qualify for Semi-Finals

The victory confirmed India’s qualification for the semi-finals after finishing their Group B campaign with two wins from two matches.

The Blue Tigers’ consistent performance in the group stage has strengthened their position heading into the knockout rounds, where the competition is expected to become more intense.

Pakistan also secured qualification for the knockout stage, finishing second in Group B.

What Does India’s Victory Mean for the Tournament?

India’s 1-0 win over Maldives is another important step in their pursuit of the SAFF Championship 2026 title. Winning both group-stage matches gives the team confidence and valuable momentum ahead of the semi-finals.

With a place in the last four secured, attention now turns to India’s next challenge as the Blue Tigers look to continue their campaign and move closer to lifting the trophy.