Bangladesh into SAFF semis after Bhutan draw with Sri Lanka

Bangladesh reached the semifinals of the SAFF Championship 2026 with a match in hand after Bhutan came back from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Sri Lanka in Group A at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.

The hosts had earlier defeated Bhutan 1-0 in their opener on Thursday and are now top of the three-team Group A points-table.

Three goals happened in the first half. Dawa Tshering put Bhutan ahead in the 34th minute. Sri Lanka’s Oliver Kelaart levelled a minute later with a deflected effort, before Waseem Razeek gave Sri Lanka a 2-1 lead in the 43rd minute.

Bhutan had a golden opportunity to level the margin in the 67th minute when Bhutan were awarded a penalty. But  captain Chencho Gyeltshen missed from the spot.

But he made up for it just nine minutes later, slotting the ball home in the 76th. Sri Lanka failed to find a winner.

Both Sri Lanka and Bhutan now have one point from two matches.

Bangladesh meet Sri Lanka in their second Group A game on November 11. A draw would be enough to send Sri Lanka through.