India beat Maldives 1-0 in their final Group B match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, November 11, to reach the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 as group toppers, according to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) media release reported by ANI.

Source: ANI, reporting the AIFF media release

The only goal came in the 38th minute. Abdul Rabeeh dispossessed Maldives defender Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf and was brought down by him inside the box, and Suhail Ahmad Bhat sent goalkeeper Hussain Shareef the wrong way from the penalty spot, placing his kick into the bottom-left corner, the Asian Football Confederation reported.

Source: Asian Football Confederation (the-afc.com)

1-0Final score — India beat Maldives in Dhaka
38'Suhail Ahmad Bhat's winning penalty
3Bhat's goals in this SAFF Championship
6India's points — Group B toppers
Nov 14Semi-final date

The penalty took Bhat's tally to three goals in the tournament, after his first-half brace in India's earlier win over Pakistan; Manglenthang Kipgen scored India's other goal in that match. India finished the group stage with six points, ahead of Pakistan on three, while Maldives went out without a point.

Goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey protected the lead late on, saving Ali Hamdhaan's free-kick in the 79th minute and a Muzdhaan Hassan shot five minutes later, and making further stops in stoppage time. Head coach Naushad Moosa had made seven changes to the starting eleven, with Chinglensana Singh Konsham captaining the side and Dubey replacing Arsh Anwer Shaikh in goal, ANI reported.

Source: ANI, reporting the AIFF media release

India, the defending champions chasing a 10th SAFF title, will face Bhutan in the semi-final on Saturday, November 14, according to the AFC.

Source: Asian Football Confederation (the-afc.com)