India survives late scare to enter SAFF final

India survived a late scare from Bhutan to book their place in the SAFF Championship 2026 final, but their passage was far from comfortable after a dominant first half gave way to a nervy battle at the National Stadium today in Dhaka.

The defending champions looked on course for a routine victory after taking a two-goal lead within the first 27 minutes of the match. However, Bhutan roared back after the break, pulled one goal back through VAR and pushed India onto the defensive before Naushad Moosa's side held on for a 2-1 victory in the first semifinal.

The result sent India into a record 14th SAFF final and kept their bid for a 10th title alive. But the manner of the victory will offer plenty of encouragement to Bangladesh or Pakistan, who meet in the second semifinal later in the evening.

India needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock. Vishnu Puthiya Valappil brought down a long diagonal pass with an excellent first touch before shifting the ball onto his right foot and guiding a low shot past goalkeeper Gyeltshen Zangpo.

The early breakthrough gave India control, and they doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. Bhutan failed to clear a corner properly, allowing captain Chinglensana Singh Konsham to pounce on the loose ball and fire home.

India could have put the contest beyond Bhutan before the interval, but Suhail Ahmad Bhat wasted several opportunities, leaving the door open for a comeback.

And Bhutan made the most of it.

The Himalayan side returned with renewed purpose after the break and reduced the deficit just three minutes into the second half. Chencho Gyeltshen's effort created the opportunity for Kinzang Tashi Tobden, who headed home after the Indian defence failed to clear its lines.

The assistant referee initially flagged for offside, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review, handing Bhutan a lifeline.

With momentum shifting, Bhutan began to threaten India's defence repeatedly. Goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh had to produce an important save in the 53rd minute, tipping Chencho's dipping effort over the crossbar to preserve India's lead.

VAR again became the centre of attention in the 65th minute. Indonesian Referee Thoriq Munir Alkatiri initially awarded India a penalty after Irfan Yadwad's cross struck Nima Wangdi's hand inside the box. However, after reviewing the footage, he overturned his decision, sparing Bhutan from conceding a potentially decisive third goal.

India struggled to regain their first-half rhythm as Bhutan continued to push forward. The defending champions appeared increasingly concerned with protecting their slender advantage rather than extending it.

Suhail came close to settling the contest in the 85th minute, but his effort struck the crossbar, keeping Bhutan's hopes alive.

The final moments were particularly tense. Bhutan came agonisingly close to forcing extra time in stoppage time when a cross from the left found its way into the middle, but Kinzang Tenzin could not make the decisive connection.

India eventually held on to secure their place in the final, scheduled for 17 November.

For Bhutan, the defeat ended their first semi-final campaign since 2008. In a cruel twist of fate, they had also suffered a 2-1 defeat to India at the same stage 18 years ago.