Suhail Bhat scored the winning goal for India against Maldives on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: AIFF

India defeated Maldives 1-0 on Wednesday to seal its qualification to the semifinals of the SAFF Championship 2026, which is being played in Bangladesh.

Naushad Moosa’s side finished top of Group B with six points, ahead of Pakistan, which also made it to the last-four with three points.

India will now take on the runner-up of Group A in the semifinal. Sri Lanka was in contention to make it to the knockout but suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of home side Bangladesh.

The result means India will take on Bhutan for a place in the final. The match is scheduled to kick-off 2:30pm IST on November 14. The second semifinal will be played between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Published on Nov 11, 2026