India beats Bhutan 2-1 to enter SAFF Championship 2026 final
P.V. Vishnu and Chinglensana Singh scored for India as VAR made its SAFF Championship debut in Dhaka.
India reached the SAFF Championship 2026 final after a 2-1 win over Bhutan at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 14, 2026. The Blue Tigers will face Bangladesh or Pakistan in the final on November 17.
Key takeaways
- India beat Bhutan 2-1 in the SAFF Championship 2026 semifinal.
- P.V. Vishnu scored in the eighth minute and Chinglensana Singh in the 27th minute.
- Kinzang Tashi Tobden scored for Bhutan in the 48th minute after VAR overturned an offside call.
- India fielded a U-23 reserve squad under coach Naushad Moosa.
- The final will be held on November 17 at 7.30pm IST against Bangladesh or Pakistan.
India beat Bhutan 2-1 to enter the SAFF Championship 2026 final at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. V. Vishnu opened the scoring in the eighth minute, controlling a long diagonal ball before shifting to his right foot and slotting it past the Bhutan goalkeeper.
India doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Chinglensana Singh Konsham smashed home from close range after Bhutan failed to clear a corner delivered by Kipgen.
Bhutan pulled one back in the 48th minute through Kinzang Tashi Tobden, who headed home after Gyeltshen's effort from inside the box, with VAR overturning the initial offside decision. The match marked the historic debut of the Video Assistant Referee system in the SAFF Championship.
India fielded the U-23 reserve squad under head coach Naushad Moosa as the senior team is currently engaged in friendly matches in New Zealand.
Defending champions India are eyeing a record-extending 10th title and will face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the summit clash. India began its campaign with a 3-2 win over Pakistan on November 5, with Suhail Ahmad Bhat scoring twice.
It followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Maldives on November 11, courtesy of Bhat's 38th-minute penalty. India finished top of Group B with six points, while Pakistan advanced as runner-up with three.
Bhat scored three goals in the group stage, while goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey's late saves helped India preserve its clean sheet against Maldives. m. IST.
India's SAFF Championship 2026 group stage results
Opponent | Result | Date | India scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | 3-2 win | November 5 | Suhail Ahmad Bhat (2) |
Maldives | 1-0 win | November 11 | Suhail Ahmad Bhat (penalty, 38th minute) |
Bhutan | 2-1 win | November 14 | P.V. Vishnu, Chinglensana Singh |
Related on Apex Sports News
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