Pakistan registered their first SAFF Championship 2026 victory with a 3-0 win over the Maldives, led by Najeebullah Bettani’s two goals in Dhaka.
Pakistan secured their first victory at the SAFF Championship 2026 with a 3-0 win over the Maldives in their second Group B match at the National Football Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
Najeebullah Bettani scored twice, while McKeal Aroon Abdullah also found the net as the Shaheens produced a commanding performance to claim all three points.
Pakistan made an aggressive start and took the lead in the fourth minute after being awarded a penalty. Abdullah stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to put his side ahead early in the contest.
The Shaheens continued to dominate possession and put pressure on the Maldivian defence, creating further opportunities to extend their advantage.
Their efforts paid off when Bettani scored Pakistan’s second goal, increasing the pressure on the Maldives and strengthening his team’s position in the match.
Bettani then completed his brace before half-time, making it 3-0 and giving Pakistan a comfortable advantage heading into the break.
The Maldives struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities during the opening half as Pakistan maintained their defensive organisation and restricted their opponents’ efforts in front of goal.
Pakistan continued to manage the game effectively after the interval, maintaining their defensive shape and protecting their three-goal lead.
Neither side managed to find the net in the second half, with the match ending 3-0 in favour of the Shaheens.
The victory marked a positive response from Pakistan following their 3-2 defeat against arch-rivals India in their opening Group B fixture.
India had taken control of that encounter through two early goals from Suhail Ahmad Bhat. Pakistan, however, mounted a fightback in the closing stages and attempted to turn the match around.
Despite their late attacking efforts, the Shaheens were unable to prevent India from securing the victory.
The win over the Maldives gives Pakistan their first points of the SAFF Championship 2026 campaign following their opening-match disappointment. Bettani’s two goals and Abdullah’s early penalty conversion proved decisive in the Dhaka encounter.
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