ISL 2025-26: Kerala Blasters’ woeful campaign continues with 3-1 defeat to Punjab FC

Kerala Blasters fell to a new low at home, losing to Punjab FC in the ISL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

The visiting Punjab FC killed the match in the first half with three goals, destroying any hopes of a revival that the Blasters had nurtured before the match.

A disorganized defense coupled with fundamental mistakes in handing gifted goals to Punjab FC in the first half. Although Blasters came up with an improved show in the second half, it could not cover the ground it gave to Punjab in the first half.

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Punjab took the lead from the first chance it created. A long ball from K. Lhungdim ended up in the path of Samir Zeljkovic, who shot in with a first-timer.

Blasters got the first look at the rival goal in the 14th minute when Huidrom Naocha fired a shot over the top of the penalty area. However, Blasters conceded again in the 18th minute when defender Hormipam embarrassingly passed the ball to Zeljkovic, who dismissed Bede Osuji with a through ball.

The fate of the match was sealed when a long ranger from M. Kipgen bounced off the crossbar and an unmarked Dani Ramirez nodded in the third goal.

Blasters showed some acumen beforehand, harassing the Punjab defenses with coordinated moves. Fallou Ndiaye reduced the margin in the 65th minute by heading in a cross from Quitongo. But after that, Punjab’s defense resisted Kerala Blasters’ attempts to take home full points.

Published on March 21, 2026