India Defeats Pakistan in SAFF Championship Opener

Match Result

India began its SAFF Championship title defense in Dhaka with a tight three-two win over Pakistan in Group B. Suhail Ahmad scored twice in the thirteenth and nineteenth minutes, while Kipgen added a third goal in the thirty-first minute to give India a comfortable three-goal lead by halftime.

Second Half Fightback

Pakistan fought back in the second half during injury time. Adil Nabi scored in the ninety-second minute and Alamgir Ali scored in the ninety-fourth minute to narrow India's lead before the final whistle.

Team Composition

Because the main squad was playing international friendlies against New Zealand, India sent a second-string under-twenty-three squad coached by Naushad Moosa. Seven Malayali players were included in the eighteen-player squad currently in Dhaka, with ten more players scheduled to join soon according to the All India Football Federation. Group B also includes the Maldives.

Context

The SAFF Championship features South Asian national teams competing for regional supremacy. Because the tournament does not align with the standard FIFA international calendar, top club sides are not required to release their star players for the matches.