The race for the knockout stages of the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 remains delicately poised after a dramatic day of draws ensured that no team was able to pull away in Group B.
At the end of Saturday’s action, Kerala and Meghalaya continue to sit joint top with four points each, but Railways and Services are lurking close behind on two points, while Odisha and Punjab have opened their accounts and remain in contention.
With three games producing three draws across two venues in Assam, the group has turned into a tightly wound battle where one decisive result could suddenly change the picture.
Kerala and Railways share the spoils
At the Silapathar Football Stadium, former champions Kerala and Railways played out an engaging 1–1 draw in a contest that was short on goals but rich in competitive edge.
Kerala started with intent, using their midfield to circulate the ball quickly and probe for gaps, while Railways looked to sit compact and strike on the break. The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute, albeit in unfortunate fashion for Railways. A dangerous Kerala ball into the box created confusion in the defence, and Soibam Abhinash Singh inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Kerala a 1–0 lead.
The goal gave Kerala a deserved advantage going into half-time, but Railways did not lose their shape. After the break, the former champions gradually grew into the game, pushing higher up the pitch and forcing Kerala into deeper defensive positions.
The equaliser arrived ten minutes from time and came from an inspired change off the bench. Faseen PK, introduced as an impact substitute, made an immediate difference with his energy and movement. In the 80th minute, he found space inside the box and finished clinically to make it 1–1, rescuing a vital point for Railways.
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Both sides had half chances late on, but neither could find a winner, and the draw reflected a match that was evenly balanced in its overall flow. For Kerala, it was a missed opportunity to establish clear leadership in the group, while Railways showed resilience to come back and keep themselves firmly in the hunt.
Punjab and Meghalaya deliver a six-goal thriller
If Silapathar offered control and caution, Dhakuakhana provided drama in abundance. Punjab and Meghalaya produced one of the most entertaining matches of the final round so far, sharing the points in a pulsating 3–3 draw.
Meghalaya struck first in the 34th minute when Owanijuh Pajuh found the net to give his side a deserved lead. They went into half-time 1–0 up, having looked sharper in the attacking third.
Punjab, however, refused to fade. Jagdeep Singh levelled the scores in the 61st minute, giving his team a lifeline. Meghalaya responded quickly, with Baby Sunday Marngar restoring their lead in the 70th minute, but once again Punjab had an answer as Himanshu Jangra made it 2–2 just two minutes later.
The seesaw battle continued. In the 78th minute, Deibormame Tongper put Meghalaya ahead for the third time, sparking celebrations among their supporters who sensed a precious win. But Punjab, showing remarkable fighting spirit, struck back almost immediately. Substitute Harmanpreet Singh found the equaliser in the 80th minute, ensuring that neither side left with nothing.
The final stages saw both teams push for a winner, but fatigue and the sheer intensity of the contest took their toll. In the end, the 3–3 scoreline felt fitting for a match where neither side was willing to settle.
For Meghalaya, the draw meant they stayed on top of Group B alongside Kerala, though they will rue not being able to hold on to a lead three times. Punjab, meanwhile, finally opened their account in the final round and will take confidence from the character they showed.
Odisha and Services play out a stalemate
The day’s third match, also at Silapathar, saw Odisha and Services cancel each other out in a 0–0 draw. While it lacked the goals of the Dhakuakhana thriller, it was still an important result for both sides.
Odisha, who had lost their opening match, picked up their first point of the final round, moving them off the bottom of the table and keeping their qualification hopes alive. Services, now on two points from two matches, sit fourth in the standings and remain well placed to challenge for a top-two finish.
Both teams had moments of promise, but neither could convert in the final third, with goalkeepers and defenders holding firm throughout.
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After all the dust settled, Kerala and Meghalaya lead the group with four points each. Railways and Services are just two points behind, while Odisha and Punjab are only three adrift with games still to play. In such a tightly packed group, goal difference and head-to-head results could yet prove decisive.
What Saturday underlined was the competitive balance within Group B. No side has been able to dominate, and every match has been played on a knife-edge. With knockout spots still up for grabs, the coming fixtures promise even more tension and drama as the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 edges closer to its decisive phase.
