India survive Pakistan scare in SAFF opener
“Defending champions India survived a dramatic late Pakistan fightback to secure a 3-2 victory in their SAFF Championship 2026 opener at Dhaka’s National Stadium on Thursday. India’s second-string side …”
India’s second-string side appeared headed for a comfortable win after taking a three-goal lead, but Pakistan struck twice in stoppage time to make the finish tense. Suhail Ahmed Bhat scored twice in the first half before Manglenthang Kipgen added a third as India dominated possession and midfield.
The visitors took the lead through a well-worked move, with Mohammed Suhail delivering a low cross for Bhat to tap home. Bhat doubled the advantage after being sent through on goal, calmly slotting the ball past Pakistan goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.
India continued to control the match and made it 3-0 when Noufal played Kipgen through with a pass that split the defence. The midfielder ran untracked before chipping the advancing Butt. India’s complacency nearly opened the door for Pakistan when Abhishek Suryavanshi brought down Hayyan Khattak inside the penalty area.
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But Shayak Dost squandered the opportunity, sending his spot-kick high over the crossbar. Pakistan, coached by Nolberto Solano, saw more of the ball after the break but struggled to threaten until the closing stages. Najeebullah gave Pakistan hope in stoppage time when he met Junaid Shah’s superb cross with a powerful header to make it 3-1.
Just minutes later, Alamgir Ghazi produced a spectacular second goal, controlling the ball with a deft first touch before turning and firing home from a tight angle while falling to the ground. The late surge lifted Pakistan’s spirits but came too late to prevent India from taking all three points.
India fielded a second-string side, with several players involved in the ongoing Indian Super League and the first team committed to a match against New Zealand during the international break. Ghazi said Pakistan had struggled in the first half but improved after the interval.
“The first half was not good. We could have scored [with the penalty]. We were better in the second, but we scored too late,” he said.
Asked why Pakistan had not trained on Wednesday, Ghazi said the team’s luggage had gone missing. “Our luggage was missing, that’s why we didn’t train,” he said with a smile. Despite the defeat, Ghazi said Pakistan’s hopes remained high and stressed the importance of their next match against the Maldives.
“We must win the second game, because all the players will come in time for the semifinal. We want to beat Maldives,” he said.
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