Punjab FC 3 (Gursimrat Singh 2’ og, Nikhil Prabhu 11’, Princeton Rebello 43’)
defeated
Gokulam Kerala FC 0

AIFF Media Team

BAMBOLIM: Punjab FC made a winning start to their AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 campaign as they thrashed Gokulam Kerala 3-0 at the GMC Stadium, in Bambolim, Goa, on Monday, October 27, 2025. All three goals came in the first half.

The Shers struck early in the second minute when Muhammad Suhail’s cross deflected off Gursimrat Singh and went in. Nikhil Prabhu made it 2-0 with a header from a corner in the 11th minute, and Princeton Rebello added a third just before the break. Gokulam’s night worsened when Trijoy Dias was sent off for a reckless high boot.

From the outset, Punjab FC looked sharper, more composed, and determined to make a statement. The history between these two clubs, who were once fierce rivals in the I-League, added a touch of extra spice to the contest, but it was the reigning ISL outfit who controlled the narrative from the very first whistle.

The opening goal came almost immediately. In just the second minute, Muhammad Suhail embarked on a clever run down the left flank before flashing a low ball across the face of goal. Gokulam defender Gursimrat Singh stuck out a thigh, only to divert the ball into his own net past a helpless goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil. It was a cruel blow for the Malabarians, who barely had time to settle into their shape.

Punjab FC were relentless after the early breakthrough. Nine minutes later, their dominance produced a second goal from a set-piece. Gokulam’s defensive frailties were exposed again when a corner from Princeton was met by Nikhil Prabhu, who outjumped his marker to place a firm header into the bottom corner.

At 2-0, the Shers were firmly in control, dictating the tempo and enjoying acres of space in midfield. Gokulam tried to muster a response through Samuel Lyngdoh on the right flank, and they almost halved the deficit in the 28th minute. Eduardo Martínez’s free-kick had the goalkeeper beaten but rattled the top of the crossbar.

However, it was Punjab who struck the killer blow just before the break. In the 43rd minute, after a neat layoff from Suhail at the top of the box, Rebello unleashed a right-footed shot past Shibinraj to make it 3-0 and leave Gokulam stunned.

The second half saw a more spirited Gokulam Kerala, with Juan Carlos Rico Azorín and Alfred Moya trying to spark a comeback. But their efforts were thwarted by Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh, who made two smart saves to preserve the clean sheet.

The visitors’ night went from bad to worse in the 85th minute when substitute Trijoy Dias was shown a straight red for a reckless high-boot challenge, reducing Gokulam to ten men and killing off any remaining hopes of a comeback.