India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in 2026 SAFF Championship opener in their Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday.
For Blue Tigers, Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored a brace in 13′, 19′, while Manglenthang Kipgen scored the other goal in 31′. For Pakistan, Najeeb Ullah in 90+1′ and Alamgir Ghazi in 90+4′ scored the goals.
India will next face Maldives in their final Group B fixture on November 11.
India is the most successful nation in the SAFF Championship, having won the title a record 9 times – 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023; finished runners-up 4 times – 1995, 2008, 2013, 2018 while finished third in 2003.
India Starting XI:
Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Bijoy Varghese, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Muhammed Uvais, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Muhammad Suhail, Ricky Shabong, Manglenthang Kipgen, Noufal PN, Nikhil Prabhu, Hmingthanmawia Ralte,
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
