DHAKA, Nov 11: India entered the SAFF Championship semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Maldives in their final Group B match at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat converted a 38th-minute penalty, while goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey made crucial late saves to preserve India’s lead.
The defending champions finished the group stage with six points, ahead of Pakistan on three. Maldives bowed out without a point.
Head coach Naushad Moosa made seven changes to the side that defeated Pakistan 3-2. Abhishek Suryavanshi, Muhammed Uvais, Bhat and Ricky Shabong retained their places.
India earned the penalty after Abdul Rabeeh dispossessed Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf and was brought down by the defender inside the box. Bhat sent goalkeeper Hussain Shareef the wrong way, placing his kick into the bottom-left corner.
The goal took Bhat’s tournament tally to three following his first-half brace against Pakistan. Manglenthang Kipgen had scored India’s other goal in that match.
Dubey saved Ali Hamdhaan’s free-kick in the 79th minute and Muzdhaan Hassan’s shot five minutes later. In stoppage time, he rushed out and blocked Ethan Ibrahim Zaki’s close-range attempt with his face.
India will face Bangladesh, Bhutan or Sri Lanka in the semi-finals on November 14. Their opponents will be confirmed after the final Group A match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka later on Wednesday.
