India beat Pakistan 3-2 in SAFF opener in Dhaka, avenging defeat from 22 years ago

India have beaten Pakistan 3-2 in the opening match of the SAFF Championship in Dhaka, avenging their defeat in Dhaka 22 years ago. In the opening match of the 2003 SAFF Championship in Dhaka, Pakistan had beaten India 1-0.

Playing attacking football from the start, India built a big lead in the first half itself. In the 13th minute, Muhammad Suhail Bhatt gave India the first lead, turning a pass from the left flank into the net with a gentle touch.

Just six minutes later, in the 19th minute, Bhatt completed his brace with a solo effort that beat the Pakistani defenders. Then, in the 30th minute, Manglentham Kipgen scored with a long-range shot to put India 3-0 ahead.

Pakistan had a chance to get back into the match in the 34th minute. But Shayek Dost's penalty sailed over the crossbar, and they went into the break without a goal.

India held their three-goal lead until the end of the regulation 90 minutes. But as the referee added four minutes of injury time, Pakistan attempted a dramatic fightback.

In the 91st minute, Najib Ullah scored Pakistan's first goal of the tournament with a fine finish. Just two minutes later, in the 93rd minute, Alamgir Ghazi volleyed the ball into the net from inside the D-box to make it 3-2. The two injury-time goals brought excitement back to the Pakistan camp, but in the end the first-half penalty miss cost them, and they left the field with a one-goal defeat.

Bangladesh hosted the SAFF football tournament in 2009 and 2018 as well, but although India and Pakistan took part in both editions, they did not face each other. This was therefore the first SAFF match between the two teams on Dhaka soil since 2003. The match was marked by sportsmanship between the players of both sides; they shook hands after the game, and during play footballers were seen rushing to help injured opponents.