India beat Pakistan to clinch silver at SAFF Futsal Championship 2026
India’s men’s futsal team defeated Pakistan 4-1 to clinch the silver medal at the SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 in Bangkok. Lalsawmpuia scored twice, while Vincent Laltluangzela and Nikhil Mali added goals as India finished second behind Maldives
Hyderabad: It was a 77th Republic Day to remember for the Indian men’s futsal team, who capped off a fine performance against rivals Pakistan with a 4-1 victory to seal the silver medal at the SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 at the Hua Mak Indoor Stadium in Bangkok on Monday.
The Futsal Tigers, ranked 133rd in the FIFA Men’s Futsal Rankings, finished the championship with 11 points from six matches, seven behind Maldives (ranked 109th). Nepal, ranked 114th, also ended with 11 points but had to settle for bronze due to an inferior goal difference.
Lalsawmpuia (25’, 40’) scored a brace, while Vincent Laltluangzela (6’) and Nikhil Mali (32’) netted a goal each for India. Ali Agha (19’) was the lone scorer for Pakistan. Both sides were tied 1-1 at half-time.
The result had bearing on three teams – India, Pakistan and Nepal – all of whom had a chance to clinch silver. A win for either India or Pakistan would secure second place, while a draw would have handed Nepal the medal.
India began on the front foot, using their ala to send low centres into the Pakistan circle. Laltluangzela controlled a stray ball in the opposition half, teed himself up and blasted it into the net to give India the lead.
Pakistan fought back and equalised just before half-time through Ali Agha, who latched onto a clever through ball from Zaid Ullah Khan and finished from a tight angle.
Five minutes into the restart, India regained the lead when Lalsawmpuia chased an overhead ball, side-stepped his marker and fired home, his shot deflecting off Asif Ahmad Chaudhry.
With five minutes left, Pakistan went for the powerplay, introducing Agha as a flying goalkeeper. The tactic nearly worked in the 39th minute, but his shot after a give-and-go with Salar was saved by Mollah, sealing India’s silver medal.
