India vs Bhutan Player Ratings: Nikhil Prabhu and Chinglensana Singh shine in SAFF Championship 2026 semi-final clash
Blue Tigers qualified for SAFF Championship Finals for the 14th time since 1993
The Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted the 2026 SAFF Championship semi-final fixture between India and Bhutan, and the winner would take on Bangladesh or Pakistan in the finals.
It took India less than nine minutes to score the opener after East Bengal winger PV Vishnu found the back of the net to make it 1-0. The Blue Tigers kept mounting pressure, and it paid off after captain Chinglensana Singh scored a goal from the corner to make it 2-0 for India.
After the second goal, Bhutan kept pushing to find their way back into the match. Chencho did trouble the Indian custodian on a few occasions, and in the early minutes of the second half, Kinzang Toshi scored for Bhutan to make it 2-1.
It was a thrilling second half where Bhutan fought tooth and nail to find the equaliser,r but the Indian defence was firm at the back as they sealed a close lead and India won the match 2-1 to make it to the SAFF Championship Finals for the 14th time since 1993.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the player ratings from the SAFF Championship clash between India and Bhutan.
India Player Ratings (By Saikat Sengupta)
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Arsh Shaikh – 7.5/10
The Kerala Blasters’ custodian was chosen to start tonight over Dubey, and he did a decent job between the sticks.
He made two saves tonight and was a reliable presence during nervy moments to seal a close lead for India. His distribution, however, was not that good tonight.
K Lhungdim – 8.5/10
Lhungdim was a menace on the right flank tonight. He played the entire game, and he was quick and agile with his overlapping runs from the flanks.
He gave around 10 passes in the final third, and he won almost every single aerial duel.
Nikhil Prabhu – 9/10
The Punjab FC defender has arguably been one of the best players tonight defensively, despite a hamstring. After Bhutan scored a goal early on in the second half, Prabhu stood like a beast in the back.
He even gave an assist to PV Vishnu tonight when he scored the opening goal.
Sana Singh – 9/10
Captain Sana found his name in the scoresheet to make it 2-0 for India and was India’s best player on the pitch tonight.
From sealing the Indian defence to helping the team offensively during set pieces, Sana also had the joint most defensive contributions tonight.
Sandip Mandi – 7.5/10
There was no Uvais tonight, and Mandi was quietly seen leading the left flank and creating chances upfront for Vishnu.
Tshering was seen finding spaces behind Mandi, but the East Bengal full-back was alert, though he could have done better to clear those dangerous balls late.
Brison Fernandes – 7/10
Brison had a decent outing tonight and was subbed off in the 78th minute. He created two big chances in the match and had a few touches in the opposition box.
Ricky Shabong – 8/10
Another brilliant performance from Shabong, who was excellent in the midfield tonight. He made a few tactical fouls and also got into the book.
He was seen creating a lot of chances for India, and apart from that, he anchored the midfield properly with his defensive recoveries.
Abhishek Suryanvanshi – 6.5/10
When Bhutan was dominating the proceedings tonight in the second half, young Suryavanshi looked off colour and was beaten on a lot of occasions by Tobden.
PV Vishnu – 8/10
A valorous performance from the East Bengal winger, who was an electrifying presence on the wings. He scored a brilliant goal for India in less than 9 minutes to make it 1-0 for India.
M Kipgen – 7/10
He was playing as a number 10 tonight, and he was unlucky to not find his name in the scoresheet, given his offensive contributions from the set pieces. Sana scored a goal from his corner.
Suhail Ahmad Bhat – 7/10
Bhat, who already scored thrice in the tournament, failed to find the back of the net tonight but was agonisingly close to scoring on a lot of occasions.
He was interlinking well and was omnipresent everywhere when his team needed him most with his hold-up play, but his finishing was poor.
Substitutes
Macarton Nickson – 7/10
He was brought in near the hour mark and was seen winning those balls and pressing higher up front, especially after Suhail had an off day.
Abdul Rabeeh – 6/10
He did well but could have done better. His positional versatility to switch flanks has been a key for India and Naushad Moosa, but he needs to work on his decisions in the final third.
Irfan Yadvad – 6/10
The Chennaiyin FC had a poor game tonight from the wings and was seen refusing to take a shot and go for the goal himself, and was a bit too slow in contrast to the pace of the game.
What was the scoreline of the SAFF Championship 2026 semi-final game, India vs Bhutan?
India won the game 2-1 against Bhutan.
Who were the goal scorers for India in the SAFF Championship 2026 game, India vs Bhutan?
PV Vishnu and Chinglensana Singh scored for India tonight.
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