Punjab FC opened their AIFF Super Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising past Gokulam Kerala FC 3–0 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday evening.
The result was settled within the first half, as goals from Muhammad Suhail, Nikhil Prabhu, and Princeton Rebello gave Punjab a commanding lead that they comfortably protected till full-time. For the reigning I-League champions Gokulam Kerala, the defeat was a humbling reminder of their recent struggles. Despite a spirited second-half display, they failed to find the net and finished with ten men after Trijoy Dias was sent off late in the game.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with Punjab FC looking sharper, faster, and far more composed on the ball. Barely two minutes in, the pressure told. Muhammad Suhail, who has been one of Punjab’s brightest prospects, charged down the left flank and fired in a cross that took an unfortunate deflection off Gursmirat Singh, looping past goalkeeper Shibin Raj. While it went down as an own goal, the move symbolized Punjab’s early aggression — high pressing, quick transitions, and an intent to force errors from a shaky Gokulam backline. The Malabarians never recovered from that start.
Nine minutes later, Punjab doubled their lead. A corner swung in beautifully by Princeton Rebello met the towering Nikhil Prabhu, who rose above his marker to nod the ball into the right corner. It was clinical, confident, and crushing for Gokulam.
At 2–0 inside 11 minutes, Punjab were in complete control. Every wave of attack looked like it could end in a goal. Gokulam, for their part, struggled to string together passes beyond the halfway line. Samuel tried to inject energy from the right wing, but the Punjab defence, marshaled by Bijoy Varghese, looked impenetrable.
Gokulam’s Frustration Mounts; Princeton Adds the Third
As the game reached the half-hour mark, Gokulam finally began to see more of the ball. Their best chance came in the 28th minute when Martin’s curling free-kick grazed the top of the crossbar their first real warning shot.
But any hope of a comeback was snuffed out just before halftime. Once again, Suhail found acres of space down the right flank and picked out Princeton Rebello at the edge of the box. The midfielder took one touch before unleashing a powerful drive that beat Shibin Raj low at his near post. It was a sweet strike and a statement moment for Rebello, who dictated play all evening with poise and precision. The 43rd-minute goal made it 3–0, sending Punjab into the break with a cushion that allowed them to manage the game comfortably thereafter.
Half-Time: Punjab 3–0 Gokulam Control and Confidence
When the referee blew for halftime, Punjab’s dominance was absolute. They had outplayed Gokulam in every department sharper in transition, crisper in passing, and far more coordinated off the ball. The scoreline could easily have been worse for the Malabarians, who looked disorganized and bereft of ideas.
For Punjab coach Staikos Vergetis, it was the perfect half early goals, sustained tempo, and a clean sheet intact. The second half began with Gokulam making changes Rakshit Dagar replacing Shibin Raj in goal, and Juan Carlos Rico coming on for Emil Benny. The substitutions injected some energy, and Gokulam started brighter. They pressed higher and enjoyed more possession, forcing Punjab to sit deeper and absorb pressure.
But even with territorial advantage, they couldn’t break through. Punjab’s defence, led by Prabhu and Bijoy, was resolute. Goalkeeper Shabir Ali dealt confidently with aerial deliveries as the Malabarians racked up corner after corner without reward. In the 62nd minute, Harpreet Singh momentarily gave Gokulam fans something to cheer when he bundled the ball into the net after a set piece. However, the joy was short-lived the referee ruled it out for a foul on the goalkeeper. The decision visibly deflated the team, which had just begun to believe in a possible comeback.
Meanwhile, Vergetis smartly managed his bench, bringing on Leon Augustine and Daniel Ramirez to maintain tempo and control possession. The Spaniard Ramirez, in particular, impressed with his calm distribution and control in midfield, ensuring Punjab stayed in command despite Gokulam’s increased intensity.
Punjab Close Out the Game; Trijoy’s Red Card Seals Gokulam’s Misery
As the match entered the final quarter, Punjab showed professionalism in game management conserving energy, maintaining shape, and minimizing risks. Gokulam tried to push forward, with Alfred attempting speculative long shots, but their attacks lacked conviction. In the 85th minute, Gokulam’s night went from bad to worse. Substitute Trijoy Dias, who had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes, received a straight red card for a reckless high boot on Ricky Shabon. It was a needless challenge that summed up Gokulam’s frustration on a difficult evening.
With ten men and little hope left, the Malabarians merely played out the remainder of the game, while Punjab calmly passed the ball around to run down the clock. After five minutes of added time, referee K. Ramdasan brought proceedings to an end sealing a deserved 3–0 victory for the Shers.
Punjab’s performance in Bambolim was a masterclass in efficiency. They struck early, stayed organized, and suffocated Gokulam’s rhythm. Suhail was electric on the flanks, Princeton Rebello pulled the strings in midfield, and the defensive pairing of Prabhu and Bijoy gave nothing away. For Gokulam Kerala, the evening was forgettable. They looked off-pace from the opening whistle, conceding soft goals and failing to test Punjab’s keeper meaningfully. The disallowed goal and Trijoy’s dismissal only compounded their misery.
Final Score: Punjab FC 3–0 Gokulam Kerala FC (Suhail 2’, Nikhil Prabhu 11’, Princeton Rebello 43’)
Punjab FC now sit atop Group C, beginning their Super Cup campaign with authority. For Gokulam, drastic improvement is needed if they are to stay alive in the competition.
At Bambolim, the night belonged to Punjab a team that roared with intent, precision, and purpose.
