India seal SAFF final berth with Bhutan win

Collected Photo

India reached the SAFF Championship final after beating Bhutan 2-1 in the first semi-final at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday, as VAR made its debut in the tournament and in Bangladesh.

Vishnu put India ahead in the eighth minute before captain Chinglensana Singh doubled the lead in the 28th minute. Bhutan pulled one back after the break but failed to find an equaliser.

VAR intervened twice within 17 minutes. In the 48th minute, a Bhutan goal by Kinzhang Tashi Tobden was initially ruled offside but allowed after a review. In the 65th minute, a penalty awarded to Bhutan was cancelled following another review.

India will face the winners of the Bangladesh-Pakistan semi-final in Tuesday’s final at 8:30PM.