Suhail Bhat has scored three goals in two appearances at SAFF Championship 2026, including the winner against Maldives. | Photo Credit: Suhail Bhat/Instagram

India booked its place in the SAFF Championship 2026 semifinal after beating Maldives 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Needing just a draw to qualify for the next stage, India rode on Suhail Bhat’s first-half penalty to take all three points and finish ahead of Pakistan and Maldives in Group B.

India started the game strong and dominated possession throughout the course of the first half, with Suhail testing the opposition goalkeeper Hussain Shareef in the third minute from a tight angle.

But the Blue Tigers had to wait till the 38th minute to break the deadlock after NorthEast United forward Abdul Rabeeh was brought down by Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf inside the box. Bhat stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to mark his third goal of the campaign.

India continued to keep a hold over things, with head coach Naushad Moosa introducing the fresh legs of Manglenthang Kipgen, Irfan Yadwad and Vishnu P.V.

Despite this, India failed to find the back of the net again and slowly tapered off, just like it did in the last game against Pakistan. Maldives looked to capitalise on this lapse of concentration and could have equalised at the death if not for some brave goalkeeping from Priyansh Dubey.

The Indian custodian denied substitute Muzdhaan Hassan in the 84th minute before bravely coming off his line and using his face to stop Ethan Ibrahim Zaki’s effort from close range in the first minute of added time.

India will take on whichever nation finished second in Group A, with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka facing off later in the day.