India win 1-0 over Maldives to top Group B and reach SAFF Championship semi-finals
India defeated Maldives 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with Suhail Ahmad Bhat’s 38th-minute penalty and late saves from goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey securing a clean sheet and a place in the SAFF Championship semi-finals.
Head coach Naushad Moosa made seven changes to the side that beat Pakistan 3-2, retaining Abhishek Suryavanshi, Muhammed Uvais, Suhail Ahmad Bhat and Ricky Shabong. Priyansh Dubey replaced Arsh Anwer Shaikh in goal, while Chinglensana Singh Konsham wore the captain’s armband after Bijoy Varghese’s departure for New Zealand. India entered the match as defending champions.
The match’s only goal arrived in the 38th minute after Abdul Rabeeh dispossessed Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf and was brought down by the defender inside the box, awarding India a penalty. Suhail Ahmad Bhat converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Hussain Shareef the wrong way and placing his kick into the bottom-left corner. The goal increased Bhat’s tournament tally to three, following his first-half brace in India’s win over Pakistan; Manglenthang Kipgen had scored India’s other goal in that match.
At half-time Manglenthang Kipgen and Irfan Yadwad came on for Abdul Rabeeh and Macarton Nickson respectively, and Vishnu PV replaced Bhat in the 65th minute. Brison Fernandes was later substituted by Ebindas Yesudasan in the 78th minute. The starting eleven read: Priyansh Dubey (GK), Chinglensana Singh Konsham (C), Abhishek Suryavanshi, Abdul Rabeeh (Manglenthang Kipgen 46’), Muhammed Uvais, Suhail Ahmad Bhat (Vishnu PV 65’), Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Ricky Shabong, Macarton Nickson (Irfan Yadwad 46’), Sandip Mandi, Brison Fernandes (Ebindas Yesudasan 78’).
Priyansh Dubey produced a series of saves in the closing stages, denying Ali Hamdhaan’s free-kick in the 79th minute and stopping Muzdhaan Hassan’s shot five minutes later. His most important intervention came in stoppage time when he rushed out and blocked Ethan Ibrahim Zaki’s close-range attempt with his face. Moosa had called for better concentration and game management after India conceded twice in added time against Pakistan; Dubey’s interventions preserved the clean sheet on this occasion.
India finished the Group B stage with six points, ahead of Pakistan on three, while Maldives ended the group without a point. The result confirmed India as group winners and secured their place in the tournament semi-finals.
India will face either Bangladesh, Bhutan or Sri Lanka in the semi-finals on November 14; the opponents will be confirmed after the final Group A match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka takes place later on Wednesday.
