DHAKA, Nov. 12 (Lord Media): Pakistan have qualified for the semifinals of the SAFF Championship 2026 after India defeated the Maldives 1-0, confirming Pakistan’s place among the top two teams in Group B.

Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored the decisive goal from a 38th-minute penalty at the National Stadium after Abdul Rabeeh was fouled inside the box. India finished the group stage with six points from two matches, while Pakistan secured second place with three points and a goal difference of plus two.

The Maldives finished without a point after losing both matches, scoring no goals and conceding four.

Pakistan opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to India, with Suhail scoring twice and Kipgen adding another goal in the 32nd minute. Pakistan bounced back with a 3-0 victory over the Maldives on Sunday, as 19-year-old striker Najeeb Ullah Khan scored twice in the first half.

Pakistan coach Nolberto Solano made four changes to the starting lineup for the match against the Maldives.

Pakistan will face the winner of Group A in the semifinal on Nov. 14 at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The opponent will be confirmed after the final Group A match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Hosts Bangladesh have already secured a semifinal place after beating Bhutan 1-0 in their opening match, with substitute Mohammad Ibrahim scoring the winner. Bangladesh advanced after Sri Lanka and Bhutan played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday, leaving both sides with one point.

Bangladesh will top Group A with a win or draw against Sri Lanka and face Pakistan in the semifinal. A Sri Lanka victory would send the islanders into the top position, setting up a semifinal against Pakistan instead.

India, as Group B winners, will meet the Group A runners-up in the other semifinal on the same day.

The final is scheduled for Nov. 17. LORD