India vs Maldives: Can the Blue Tigers afford to lose? SAFF Championship semifinal equation explained
India head into their final Group B match against the Maldives at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday knowing that a draw is all they need to reach the SAFF Championship semifinals. The defending champions can even afford a narrow defeat and still go through.
What does India need to qualify?
One point is enough. It would send India into the last four and also make them group winners. Team India just needs to walk away with a point to ensure that it finishes above Pakistan in Group B. Notably, India beat Pakistan 3-2 in their opening game on November 5. Suhail Bhat scored twice in the first half. India were 3-0 up until the 90th minute but conceded twice in stoppage time.
What does the Group B table look like?
Pakistan have finished their group games on three points with a goal difference of +2 after losing to India and then beating the Maldives 3-0 on Sunday. That win took Pakistan into the semifinals for the first time in eight years. India also have three points, with a goal difference of +1 from one game, while the Maldives have no points and a goal difference of -3. Only the top two teams in each group of three advance to the semifinals.
