India exacts revenge against Pakistan after 22 years

The 2003 SAFF Championship opened with a match between India and Pakistan, in which Pakistan defeated India 1–0 in Dhaka. Twenty-two years later, the two teams faced each other once again in the opening match of the SAFF tournament in Dhaka, with India emerging victorious, 3–2.

India took the lead in the 13th minute; a ball delivered from the left flank reached Muhammad Suhail Bhat, who steered it into the net with a deft touch. Six minutes later, Suhail Ahmed Bhat scored again, displaying great skill as he navigated through the Pakistani defenders. In the 30th minute, Manglenthang Kipgen extended India’s lead to 3–0.

Four minutes later, Pakistan was awarded a penalty, but Shayak Dost’s shot sailed over the crossbar. As a result, Pakistan headed into the dressing room at halftime without having scored.

The missed penalty ultimately became a major point of regret for Pakistan. In the final stages of the match, during the four minutes of stoppage time added by the referee, Pakistan scored twice, injecting fresh excitement into the contest. In the 91st minute, Najib Ullah scored Pakistan’s first goal of the tournament, and two minutes later, Alamgir Ghazi added another with a brilliant volley from inside the box. Despite their late resurgence, Pakistan was left to rue that earlier missed penalty.

Bangladesh hosted the SAFF tournament in 2009 and 2018; although both India and Pakistan participated in those editions, they did not face each other. Following their 2003 encounter, the two sides met again in the opening match of the SAFF tournament in Dhaka. 

While recent India-Pakistan cricket matches have seen controversies surrounding handshakes, the atmosphere between the two football teams today was marked by cordiality. Players from both sides shook hands after the match, and whenever a player from one team went down injured, players from the opposing side stepped in to offer assistance.

-    NS