India Lead Pakistan 3-0 at Half-Time in SAFF Opener, Bhat Scores Twice

India scored three times before the break against Pakistan in the opening match of the 15th SAFF Championship at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The gallery turnout for the clash between the two arch-rivals was sparse, but India spread heat on the pitch from the start and went into half-time leading 3-0.

India played attacking football from the beginning, keeping Pakistan's defence under pressure with wave after wave of attacks. Pakistan also tried to push forward at times, but India's firm defending meant those efforts brought little success.

Unlike the cricket scene, where India and Pakistan players have been seen not shaking hands, football in Dhaka presented a different picture. After the national anthems, the footballers of both teams were seen shaking hands with each other. India's head coach Naushad Musa had confirmed the matter at the press conference the day before the match.

India went ahead in the 13th minute. From Muhammad Suhail's speedy attack down the left flank, Suhail Ahmed Bhat received the ball and beat the goalkeeper to find the net.

Before the effect of the first goal had faded, India doubled the lead. In the 19th minute, Bhat received a pass from Ricky John Shabong, advanced and beat the goalkeeper again, scoring his second goal and making it 2-0 for his team.

India's attacks did not stop there. Noufal carried the ball from his own half into the opposition defence and, keeping control under pressure, laid it off to Manglenthang Kipgen. Kipgen's shot found the net despite the Pakistan goalkeeper's attempt to stop it with his hand.

Pakistan had a chance to reduce the margin in the 35th minute. But they looked largely helpless against India's dominance in the first half, and India went into the break leading 3-0.