The 79th Santosh Trophy Final Round opened in dramatic fashion in Assam, and from the very first whistle it was clear why Group B has already earned the tag of the “Group of Death.”
With Kerala, Punjab, Services, Railways, Meghalaya and Odisha drawn together, this pool carries an unmatched weight of history, tactical variety, and competitive tension. Across three venues on January 22, 2026, fans were treated to contrasting styles, shifting momentum, and the kind of fine margins that define elite knockout football .
Why Group B is the Tournament’s Epicentre
Group B is not merely competitive it is historically dense. Between Kerala, Punjab, Services and Railways alone, the group contains 25 Santosh Trophy titles. Add to that Meghalaya, recent finalists in 2023, and Odisha, one of India’s fastest-growing football states, and the result is a cluster where even one mistake can derail an entire campaign .
The group also represents a fascinating clash of structures. Kerala, Punjab, Meghalaya and Odisha are state-based footballing cultures built around regional leagues and youth systems. Services and Railways, on the other hand, are institutional giants drawing talent from across India and providing full-time professional environments. When these two models collide, the result is always volatile.
That volatility was fully visible on the opening day.
Kerala 3–1 Punjab: Professional Quality Turns the Tide
The headline fixture of the day saw seven-time champions Kerala come from behind to defeat Punjab 3–1. Punjab struck first in the 27th minute through Jatinder Singh Rana after Harmanpreet Singh’s driving run down the left created space behind Kerala’s defence. For nearly half an hour, Punjab’s compact shape frustrated Kerala’s possession game.
But the second half revealed the depth of Kerala’s squad and the growing professionalisation of their state team. Manoj M equalised in the 55th minute, and just three minutes later Muhammad Ajsal struck. Four minutes after that, he struck again. In the space of seven minutes, Punjab’s defensive structure collapsed.
Ajsal’s performance was not accidental. At just 22, he has ISL and I-League experience and plays in the Super League Kerala on loan from Kerala Blasters. His speed between the lines and clinical finishing reflected the advantage Kerala enjoys by blending professional players into their Santosh Trophy squad .
Punjab, by contrast, were undone by fatigue and widening defensive gaps once the tempo rose.
Meghalaya 1–0 Odisha: North-East Efficiency on Display
While Kerala won through firepower, Meghalaya won through discipline. Their 1–0 victory over Odisha was a masterclass in compact defending and ruthless efficiency. The only goal came in the 23rd minute when Apborlang Kurbah delivered from the right, Deibormame Tongper disguised his intention inside the box, and Baby Sunday Marngar finished cleanly.
That goal was enough.
Odisha dominated possession in the second half but could not break Meghalaya’s defensive shape. Coached by Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh the man who led them to the 2023 final Meghalaya absorbed pressure and relied on quick transitions through Kurbah and Wanboklang Lyngkhoi to relieve defensive stress.
Baby Sunday, only 21, is a product of the Khelo India pipeline and Shillong Lajong’s academy system. His goal was not just decisive it was symbolic of how the North-East is now producing players who are tactically aware, technically sharp, and mentally fearless at this level .
Services 1–1 Railways: Institutional Giants Cancel Each Other Out
The third match was a classic departmental battle. Services and Railways, both packed with players training year-round in elite physical environments, produced a tense and evenly balanced 1–1 draw.
Services took the lead through Wangden Tamang’s sensational 28-yard free-kick a strike of rare quality that left the Railways goalkeeper rooted. But Railways, true to their reputation, did not panic. In the 74th minute, a clever low-corner routine saw Sheikh roll the ball into the box for Ngangbam Pacha Singh, who finished to level the game. Both teams showed why they are perennial contenders. Services were powerful in midfield duels; Railways were tactically astute in set-piece execution. But the draw leaves both slightly behind the early leaders.
What the Table Now Tells Us
After one round:
| Team | Points |
| Kerala | 3 |
| Meghalaya | 3 |
| Services | 1 |
| Railways | 1 |
| Odisha | 0 |
| Punjab | 0 |
Kerala lead on goal difference, but Meghalaya’s clean sheet could become decisive if things stay tight. Services and Railways have no margin for error, while Punjab and Odisha are already in recovery mode .
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The opening day confirmed that Group B is where the Santosh Trophy will be decided. Kerala have attacking depth, Meghalaya have defensive structure and speed, Services and Railways bring physical and tactical rigour, while Punjab and Odisha still have the quality to spring surprises. In a format where only the best survive, there are no easy fixtures here. Every goal, every point, and every set-piece will shape the race to the semifinals.
The Group of Death is not a label it is a reality.
