India 1-0 Maldives — Suhail Bhat penalty secures Group B top spot at SAFF Championship 2026
India beat Maldives 1-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on November 11, 2026, in the final Group B match of the SAFF Championship 2026, with Suhail Bhat converting a first-half penalty after Abdul Rabeeh won it. The result allowed India to finish as table toppers in Group B.
Pakistan had already secured a semi-final berth before the match, meaning a draw would have been enough for India to qualify as table toppers while Maldives required more than a win. The game was tightly contested: India took eight shots and Maldives seven, with no goals from open play. Maldives registered four shots, one on target, and the Indian custodian made one save to keep a clean sheet.
Defensively, the Punjab FC fullback provided strong overlapping runs from the flanks and limited Ahmed Aiham’s influence. The Bengaluru FC captain recorded the most touches for India, completed three clearances and won an aerial duel. Mandi contributed four defensive actions, was dispossessed a few times but helped secure the shutout and got the better of Hassan Naiz.
On the flanks, Uvais was influential both defensively and offensively, neutralising Ibrahim Mahudhee and setting up Brison Fernandes; he delivered over eight passes into the final third. Brison’s wing play and his link-up with Uvais generated several chances from the left. In midfield, Suryavanshi anchored the centre, protecting the backline and creating opportunities ahead.
Ricky John Shabong was graded 7.5/10 after an effective midfield partnership with Abhishek that helped India control the middle of the park. Abdul Rabeeh, who won the penalty, was described as having a decent game despite missed opportunities to intercept Maldivian flank attacks. Macarton Louis Nickson received a 6.5/10 for his role as a number 10, producing pinpoint crosses and passes into the final third but lacking offensive sharpness.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat was rated 8.5/10 after converting the penalty; he had the joint most shots and touches inside the opposition box and had scored a brace against Pakistan earlier in the tournament. Substitutions included a Punjab FC winger replacing Abdul Rabeeh early in the second half; an East Bengal winger had over 20 minutes but could not make a decisive impact. Yadvad entered later, took three shots (the joint-most in the match) with only one on target and registered a late off-target attempt in the final ten minutes.
The 1-0 victory moved India to the top of the Group B points table in the SAFF Championship 2026, with Suhail Ahmed Bhat scoring the match’s only goal.
