India beat Bhutan 2-1 to reach SAFF Championship final

India beat Bhutan 2-1 in Dhaka on November 14, 2026, to advance to the SAFF Championship final. P.V. Vishnu and Chinglensana Singh scored for India in a semifinal that also featured the tournament’s first use of VAR.

Defending champions India named a U-23 reserve side for the semifinal under head coach Naushad Moosa, the senior national team being currently engaged in friendly matches in New Zealand. The match in Dhaka decided the second finalist for the SAFF Championship.

P.V. Vishnu opened the scoring in the eighth minute, controlling a long diagonal pass, shifting onto his right foot and slotting the ball past the Bhutan goalkeeper. That early strike put India ahead and set the tone for the opening half.

India extended their lead in the 27th minute when Chinglensana Singh smashed home from close range after Bhutan failed to clear a corner delivered by Kipgen. The goal came from sustained pressure on the Bhutan box following the set-piece.

Bhutan reduced the deficit in the 48th minute when Tobden headed in after Gyeltshen’s effort from inside the box; the goal stood only after VAR overturned an initial offside decision. The match marked the debut of the Video Assistant Referee system in the SAFF Championship.

India will meet either hosts Bangladesh or Pakistan in the final, which is scheduled for November 17.