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Suhail Ahmad Bhat’s first-half penalty and goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey’s late heroics guided India to a narrow 1-0 victory over Maldives.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat has scored a brace against Pakistan (Picture credit: Instagram @thesuhail_07)
Star Mohun Bagan forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat converted a 38th-minute penalty before Priyansh Dubey produced a series of crucial late saves as India bagged a 1-0 win against Maldives to book their place in the SAFF Championship semifinals.
The victory over Maldives came in their final Group B game at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
The defending champions wrapped up the group stage with six points, finishing ahead of Pakistan, who managed three, while Maldives exited the tournament without registering a point.
India will take on Bangladesh, Bhutan or Sri Lanka in Saturday’s semifinal on November 14, with their opponents to be determined after Wednesday’s final Group A game between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Head coach Naushad Moosa made seven changes to the starting lineup from the 3-2 victory over Pakistan, with Abhishek Suryavanshi, Muhammed Uvais, Suhail and Ricky Shabong the only footballers to retain their places.
Priyansh Dubey came in for Arsh Anwer Shaikh as the goalkeeper, while Chinglensana Singh Konsham took over as skipper after Bijoy Varghese’s departure for New Zealand.
Suhail tested Hussain Shareef early with a near-post effort, but India had to wait for a penalty to take the lead.
Abdul Rabeeh won possession off Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf before being brought down by the defender inside the penalty area. Suhail made no mistake from the spot, sending Shareef the wrong way and slotting his effort into the bottom-left corner.
The goal took Suhail’s tournament tally to three after his first-half brace in India’s victory over Pakistan.
Manglenthang Kipgen had scored India’s other goal in that game.
Irfan Yadwad and Kipgen replaced Rabeeh and Nickson at half-time. PV Vishnu came on for Suhail in the 65th minute.
Dubey denied Ali Hamdhaan’s free-kick in the 79th minute before keeping out Muzdhaan Hassan’s effort five minutes later. His most crucial save came in stoppage time, when he rushed off his line and used his face to block Ethan Ibrahim Zaki’s close-range attempt.
(With PTI Inputs)
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Ask News18Mohun Bagan forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored a 38th-minute penalty after Abdul Rabeeh was brought down inside the box, securing a 1-0 win for India at the National Stadium.
Ask News18November 11, 2026, 7:34 PM IST
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