Santosh Trophy 2025–26: Kerala, Meghalaya win as Group B action gets underway
Santosh Trophy Group B matches get underway.
The group B action kicked off in the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 with an eventful second day that saw Kerala and Meghalaya begin their campaigns on a winning note, while Services and Railways shared the points in a tightly contested encounter.
The opening matches of Group B delivered a mix of comebacks, fine margins and competitive football, setting the tone for what promises to be a closely fought group.
Kerala 3-1 Punjab
In the first game of Group B, Kerala showcased their experience and squad depth as they came from behind to defeat Punjab 3–1. Punjab surprised their opponents by taking the lead in the 27th minute, with Jatinder Singh Rana finishing well after Kerala were caught off guard by a rare defensive lapse.
The early setback forced Kerala to reset, but they remained patient and composed heading into the interval.
The response after the break was purposeful. Manoj M pulled Kerala level in the 55th minute, injecting fresh momentum into their play. Just minutes later, Muhammad Ajsal took complete control of the contest, scoring twice in quick succession as Punjab struggled to cope with Kerala’s increased tempo and movement in attack.
The quick-fire goals effectively turned the game on its head, allowing Kerala to see out the match comfortably and secure all three points in convincing fashion.
Meghalaya 1-0 Odisha
Meghalaya made a positive start to their Group B campaign, edging past Odisha 1–0 in a match decided by a first-half goal. Baby Sunday Marngar found the net in the 23rd minute, making the most of his opportunity inside the box.
Both teams were constantly indulged in midfield scrambles for the ball and rarely got within close range of the goal as Meghalaya went in at half-time with their 1-0 lead intact.
Upon resumption in the second half, Odisha prevented the speedy Meghalaya attack from creating danger, while they themselves saw more of the ball and exerted a lot of pressure in search of the equaliser.
Despite Odisha’s efforts to find an equaliser in the second half, Meghalaya remained compact and organised, holding firm to see out the result and collect a valuable opening win. Players like Apborlang Kurbah, Lyngdoh and Wanboklang Lyngkhoi displayed a solid brand of football.
Services 1-1 Railways
The final Group B fixture of the day saw Services and Railways play out a 1–1 draw. Services took the lead in the first half through Wangden Tamang, where the midfielder stepped up to take a free-kick from 28 yards and unleashed a sensational left-footed strike that rocketed into the back of the net, leaving Railways goalkeeper Christurajan stunned.
But Railways fought back after the break; in the 74th minute, Sheikh rolled a corner along the ground for Ngangbam Pacha Singh, who converted and gave them the equaliser.
Both teams had chances to win it, but neither could find a breakthrough, so the points were shared in a well-contested game.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.