Defending champions India secured a place in the last four of the SAFF Championship 2026 with a 1-0 win over Maldives in Dhaka. The result, on Wednesday, November 11, also made sure India finished top of Group B. Here is the full SAFF Championship 2026 India vs Maldives match report, with the key moments and what comes next.
India vs Maldives: Match Result at a Glance
- Competition: SAFF Championship 2026, Group B
- Venue: National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM IST
- Result: India 1-0 Maldives
- Goal: Suhail Bhat (penalty, 38′)
A Second-String Side With a Lot to Prove
The match came with a twist. India sent a second-string squad to Bangladesh, because the main team was travelling to New Zealand for two friendlies starting November 12. India was still the favourite on paper. The Blue Tigers sit 138th in the FIFA rankings and Maldives 173rd, a gap of 35 places.
Even so, India needed a result. The preview coverage described the game as a must-win to keep semi-final hopes alive. Attackers Manglenthang Kipgen and Abhishek Suryavanshi were expected to carry much of the creative load for a young team.
How the Match Unfolded
Maldives needed a win to stay in the tournament, and it showed. The AFC report described them as resilient, and India had to be patient against a side with nothing to lose.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute. Abdul Rabeeh was brought down inside the box by Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf, and the referee pointed to the spot. Suhail Bhat sent his penalty into the bottom left corner. It was his third goal of the campaign, and it proved to be the only goal of the match.
India then had to hold on against a Maldives side pushing for an equaliser. The Blue Tigers did enough to protect the lead and finish the game without conceding.
Maldives Knocked Out
For Maldives, the defeat ended their tournament. Needing a win to progress, they could not find a way past India’s defence. The loss confirmed their exit from the competition.
What the Result Means for Group B
The win gave India the top spot in Group B. Pakistan went through as the group’s runners-up, and Maldives were eliminated. India’s route to the semi-final was settled before the final whistle in the other groups.
Group A: Bangladesh Win, Bhutan Squeeze Through
Group A was decided on the same day. Hosts Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 4-0 to win the group. Shamit Shome scored in the ninth minute and Hamza Choudhury doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. Farhaan Ali Wahid added a third in the 53rd minute, and Rakib Hossain scored the fourth late on.
Sri Lanka’s heavy defeat sent Bhutan through to the semi-finals on superior goal difference. Bhutan had drawn 2-2 with Sri Lanka in their opener.
Semi-Final: India vs Bhutan on Saturday
India now face Bhutan in the semi-final, with the matches played on Saturday. The four teams in the last four are:
- India (Group B winners)
- Pakistan (Group B runners-up)
- Bangladesh (Group A winners)
- Bhutan (Group A, through on goal difference)
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India’s Record in the SAFF Championship
India are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title. They have won the tournament nine times, in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023. The most recent triumph came in 2023, when India beat Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru. This is the 15th edition of the tournament, organised by the South Asian Football Federation.
Where to Watch India’s SAFF Championship Matches
The India vs Maldives game was not televised in India. Fans could follow it live on the Veto App. Check the same platform for the semi-final broadcast details.
Final Thoughts
SAFF Championship 2026 India vs Maldives India’s win over Maldives was not flashy, but it did the job. A well-taken penalty from Suhail Bhat and a disciplined defensive display were enough to book a semi-final place and keep the quest for a 10th title alive. With a young squad finding its feet, the Bhutan semi-final will test how deep India’s bench really is.
