India Beat Pakistan 3-2 in SAFF Opener as AIFF Faces Squad Selection Fire

India opened their SAFF Championship 2026 title defense with a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at Dhaka’s National Stadium on Thursday, November 5. Striker Suhail Bhat delivered a standout performance, scoring a brace to put the defending champions ahead in the Group B opener, which kicked off at 3 PM IST. India, fielding a second-string squad for the tournament, controlled the match for large periods before surviving a late surge from Pakistan in stoppage time.

The victory comes during a busy week for Indian football both on the pitch and in team administration. While the squad secured three points in Dhaka, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facing public controversy over squad selection, financial strains, and administrative decisions concerning upcoming national fixtures and domestic coaching changes.

Suhail Bhat scores brace before late Pakistan fightback

India entered the opening Group B fixture against Pakistan with a second-string squad, resting several senior starters. Suhail Bhat led the attack, scoring twice to establish a comfortable lead over Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka. India maintained possession and dictated the tempo of the game through most of the regulation 90 minutes.

The comfortable advantage slipped late in the match when defensive lapses allowed Pakistan back into the contest. Pakistan scored twice during stoppage time, creating a tense finish before India cleared the final attacks to lock in the 3-2 result. The win puts defending champions India at the top of Group B early in the tournament.

Naushad Moosa demands focus after stoppage-time goals

Addressing the team’s performance, India head coach Naushad Moosa highlighted both the positive outcome and clear technical errors. While pleased with the three points and early offensive output, Moosa expressed dissatisfaction with how the team managed the closing minutes of the game.

Moosa pointed out that conceding two goals deep in injury time showed a lack of concentration. He noted that while the squad showed quality early on, better game management and focus will be required as the SAFF Championship 2026 progresses into tougher group fixtures.

Khalid Jamil’s U-23 squad pick triggers fresh AIFF debate

Away from the tournament in Dhaka, Indian men’s national team head coach Khalid Jamil drew criticism after naming a 23-player squad for two upcoming international friendlies against New Zealand. Jamil opted for an all-U-23 squad for the fixtures, stirring debate and confusion among supporters over the selection strategy for senior international dates.

The selection issue comes as the AIFF faces broader scrutiny over its operations. The federation is dealing with mounting questions regarding squad clarity, financial strains, and long-term planning across different age categories. The decision to send a second-string team to the SAFF Championship while assigning a U-23 roster to the New Zealand friendlies has intensified discussions regarding player workload and scheduling.

Manolo Marquez leaves Mumbai City FC

In the Indian Super League, Mumbai City FC officially announced the departure of head coach Manolo Marquez on Friday morning. Marquez, who previously served as the head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, parted ways with the club following recent touchline frustration.

The decision followed an incident where Marquez stormed off the pitch and walked down the tunnel before the final whistle during a recent match. His exit leaves Mumbai City FC looking for a replacement bench boss as domestic league action continues.