AIFF Media Team

DHAKUAKHANA/SILAPATHAR: Punjab and Railways confirmed their progression to the quarter-finals of the 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round, as the former defeated Odisha, while the latter drew with Meghalaya, in Dhakuakhana and Silapathar, respectively on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

With Kerala’s clash against Services being postponed to Sunday, February 1, at 09:00, the last spot in Group B still remains wide open. Kerala had already qualified with a game in hand, and are sure to finish top of the group with 10 points from four games so far. Railways and Punjab have secured second and third, respectively, with seven points apiece; the former are ahead with a better head-to-head record. Meghalaya are fourth with six points, while Services are fifth with three, and Odisha are bottom with two.

While Sunday’s game may be of no consequence to Kerala, Services have everything to play for. A win would take them to six points, the same as Meghalaya, who, for now, occupy the last qualification spot for the quarter-finals. Should both teams be locked on six points, Services would take the final qualification spot by virtue of a better goal difference, as the game they played against Meghalaya ended in a 2-2 draw. Any other result will see Meghalaya making it through.

Punjab 5 (Harmanpreet Singh 12’, Samson Keishing 28’, Himangshu Jangra 47’, 81’, 90+4’)
defeated
Odisha 2 (Kartik Hantal 37’, Arbin Lakra 79’)

Himangshu Jangra struck a brilliant hat-trick as Punjab produced a clinical attacking display to thrash Odisha 5-2 and seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 at the Dhakuakhana Football Stadium.

Punjab’s goals came from Harmanpreet Singh (12’), Samson Keishing (28’) and a Himangshu Jangra hat-trick (47’, 81’, 90+4’), while Odisha replied through Kartik Hantal (37’) and Arbin Lakra (79’).

With qualification on the line for both sides, Punjab showed greater composure and clarity from the outset. They took the lead in the 12th minute through a well-worked move, as Palwinder Singh’s overlapping run on the right ended with a low pass across goal that Harmanpreet Singh converted from close range.

Punjab doubled their advantage in the 28th minute after Odisha lost possession in midfield. Jangra showed awareness to collect the loose ball and release Samson Keishing, who calmly rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Odisha responded with urgency and reduced the deficit in the 37th minute when Kartik Hantal headed home after Srikant Gadaba’s fierce strike rebounded off the woodwork. Hantal went close again soon after, but Punjab held on to lead 2-1 at the break.

The second half began with Punjab tightening their grip on the contest. In the 47th minute, Keishing capitalised on a defensive lapse before squaring for Jangra, who finished with composure to restore the two-goal cushion.

Odisha refused to go quietly and struck again in the 79th minute through Lakra following a goalkeeping error, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback. However, Punjab responded almost immediately, with Jangra punishing another defensive mistake to score his second.

Deep into stoppage time, Jangra completed his hat-trick with a composed left-footed finish, capping a dominant performance and sending Punjab through to the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion.

Railways 2 (Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang 65’ og, Johnson Joseph Mathews 75’)
drew with 
Meghalaya 2 (Apborlang Kurbah 66’, Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang 73’)

After a blank first half, Railways and Meghalaya took the lead in turns, but that did not last more than a minute on both occasions as they eventually played out a 2-2 draw at the Silapathar Football Stadium.

Railways went ahead in the 65th minute when Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang turned the ball into his own net. Meghalaya equalised in the 65th as Apborlang Kurbah scored. Meghalaya then went ahead through Mebankhraw Khyriem in the 73rd minute, only for Railways to restore parity as Johnson Joseph Mathews curled in his right footer in the 75th minute.

It was Railways which forged ahead, but in bizarre circumstances in the 65th minute, as Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlang scored in his own net.

But Meghalaya made it 1-1 in the very next minute. Forcing a deep push after kick-off, Deibormame Tongper moved in but was tackled by Railway stopper Saurabh Bhanwala. As the ball ran loose, Apborlang Kurbah took charge and placed home from close quarters.

After a brief bout of midfield play, it was Meghalaya who took a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute. Their midfielder, Hardy Cliff Nongbri, who was brilliant throughout the match with his distribution and interceptions, chipped his free-kick into the Railway box. The defence stood flat-footed as midfielder Mebankhraw Khyriem sprinted in, chested it into the goal and walked away. 

Just as it happened moments before, however, Railways made it 2-2 almost immediately. Johnson Joseph Mathews raced away with a forward pass, controlled the ball near the 18-yard box on the left, and then curled in his right-footer into the top corner, giving the Meghalaya custodian no chance whatsoever.

On level terms, both teams tried to force the pace and snatch a winner if possible. Meghalaya were the more aggressive side, but Railways’ defence came up trumps, and it ended all square.