Defending champions India have successfully booked their place in the
The match, which took place while the senior national team is occupied with international friendlies in New Zealand, saw India establish an early dominance that ultimately proved too much for their opponents to overcome. Despite a spirited second-half response from Bhutan, the Indian outfit maintained their composure to secure the win.
Early Goals Set the Pace for India
India wasted little time in asserting control, with
The lead was extended in the 27th minute when Chinglensana Singh capitalised on a defensive lapse. Following a corner kick delivered by Kipgen, Bhutan struggled to clear their lines, allowing Chinglensana to smash the ball home from close range and double India's advantage heading into the interval.
VAR Intervention and Final Preparations
Bhutan managed to narrow the deficit shortly after the break, with Tobden heading home in the 48th minute following an initial effort from Gyeltshen. The goal was subject to a dramatic moment of officiating, as it was initially disallowed for offside before being overturned and awarded following a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
This fixture marked a significant milestone for the tournament, as it served as the historic debut of VAR in the SAFF Championship. Despite the tension following the goal, India successfully managed the remainder of the match to confirm their progression.
India now looks ahead to the final, which is scheduled for November 17. They will await the outcome of the other semi-final to determine whether they face tournament hosts Bangladesh or Pakistan in the championship decider.
