India Defeat Pakistan 3-2 in SAFF Championship Opener; Srinagar-born Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice
DHAKA, November 5, 2026 (VoM News): Srinagar-born forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice as defending champions India began their SAFF Championship campaign with a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in a Group B encounter at the National Stadium on Thursday.
Bhat found the net in the 13th and 19th minutes, while Manglenthang Kipgen added India’s third goal in the 31st minute to give the Blue Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.
India dominated much of the contest, but Pakistan scored twice in stoppage time through Najeeb Ullah in the 90+1st minute and Alamgir Ghazi in the 90+4th minute to reduce the deficit.
Bhat had an early effort ruled out for offside before opening the scoring. Muhammad Suhail created the first goal with a precise delivery into the penalty area, allowing Bhat to finish from close range.
The Srinagar forward doubled the lead six minutes later after Abhishek Suryavanshi split the Pakistan defence with a through ball. Bhat timed his run and calmly beat goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.
Kipgen extended India’s advantage before Pakistan missed an opportunity to score from the penalty spot, with Shayak Dost sending his effort over the crossbar.
India were coached by Under-23 team head coach Naushad Moosa, who had only 17 players available because several Indian Super League clubs had yet to release their footballers outside the FIFA international window.
Despite creating further chances after the break, India could not add to their tally. Pakistan capitalised late through two stoppage-time goals, making the final scoreline closer than India’s first-half performance had suggested.
India will face the Maldives in their next group match on November 11. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
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