India survived a second-half fightback from Bhutan to win 2-1 in the SAFF Championship 2026 semi-final at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday, November 14, booking their place in the final and keeping their pursuit of a record-extending 10th title alive, The Bridge reported.

Source: The Bridge

India took control in the first half. P V Vishnu opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and captain Chinglensana Singh Konsham doubled the lead in the 27th minute, sending the defending champions into the break 2-0 ahead, according to Khel Now's match report.

Source: Khel Now

2-1Full-time score
9'Vishnu opens the scoring
27'Chinglensana doubles the lead
48'Tobden replies for Bhutan
17 NovFinal in Dhaka

Bhutan pulled a goal back early in the second half when Kinzang Tashi Tobden scored in the 48th minute. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), used in the SAFF Championship for the first time, played a significant role in the match — overturning the offside decision against Bhutan's goal before later cancelling a penalty awarded to India, The Bridge reported.

India are contesting the tournament with a U-23 reserve squad under head coach Naushad Moosa, while the senior national team is engaged in international friendlies in New Zealand. Moosa made four changes to the side that beat Maldives in the last group match, restoring Arsh Anwer Shaikh in goal and bringing in Vishnu, Manglenthang Kipgen and Nikhil Prabhu, according to match reports.

Source: Daily Jagran

Bhutan were playing their first SAFF Championship semi-final in 18 years and pushed India hard after the break, but the defending champions held on. India are the most successful team in the tournament's history with nine titles and have reached the final in every edition since 2005. They will face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan in the final on November 17.