Santosh Trophy 2025-26: Kerala beats Punjab 3-1 to start final round on a high

Kerala made a quick comeback to start the final round of the 2025-26 Santosh Trophy with a 3-1 win over Punjab in Assam on Thursday.

Kerala, runners-up in the last edition of the tournament, scored three goals in seven minutes, including a brace from Muhammad Ajsal, to secure full points at the Silapathar Football Stadium.

Kerala were forced onto the back foot as Jatinder Singh Rana found the net for Punjab in the 27th minute. Despite attempts to find a quick comeback, Punjab’s tight defense held the lead until half-time.

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After the restart, however, Kerala’s relentless attack paid off as Manoj M scored an equalizer within eight minutes.

But Shafeeq Hassan Madathil’s boys wanted more and Ajsal made sure of it, scoring three minutes later to complete the comeback.

Ajsal, who won Player of the Tournament in the Kerala Super League this season and was a key player in Kerala’s Santosh Trophy squad last season, rose to the occasion just in time. He struck first in the 58th minute, putting Kerala ahead and then put the icing on the cake with another goal four minutes later.

Published on January 22, 2026