Defending champions India opened their SAFF Championships campaign with a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, with Suhail Ahmad Bhat scoring twice in Thursday’s group-stage clash.
Srinagar-born Bhat struck in the 13th and 19th minutes to score twice, while Manglenthang Kipgen added a third in the 31st minute as India went into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Pakistan pulled two goals back in stoppage time to restore some pride, with Najeeb Ullah (90+1) and Alamgir Ghazi (90+4) finding the net in the Group B clash at Dhaka’s National Stadium.
India fielded a second-string team under Under-23 coach Naushad Moosa, with the senior team all set to travel for two away international friendlies against New Zealand on November 12 and 15.
Moosa had
just 17 footballers available for Thursday’s game, with multiple ISL clubs yet to release their players for the tournament as the match falls outside the FIFA international window from November 9 to 17.
The ISL clubs are expected to release their footballers ahead of India’s next game against the Maldives on November 11, which should bring the team’s strength to 28.
Pakistan were without key footballers as well, including Danish-born defender Abdullah Iqbal, who represents Sweden’s Mjällby AIF, as the game fell outside the FIFA international window.
India started on a cautious note, focusing on patient build-up from the back and seeking to control the midfield, with Abhishek Suryavanshi deployed in a deeper role.
Bhat appeared to have given India the lead in the 12th minute when he connected with Kipgen’s aerial pass, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Jammu and Kashmir forward wasn’t made to wait long. A minute later, Muhammad Suhail picked up the ball from a throw-in on the left, surged forward and delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the penalty area.
Bhat arrived at the six-yard box to turn it home and give India the lead.
(With PTI Inputs)
