Services 1 (Abhishek Pawar 18’)
defeated
Kerala 0

AIFF Media Team

SILAPATHAR, ASSAM: Services defeated a 10-man Kerala for their first victory and booked the last quarter-final berth from Group B of the 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round, at the Silapathar Football Stadium, in Silapathar, on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Striker Abhishek Pawar struck the only goal of the match in the 18th minute after Services weathered Kerala’s early aggression and took control of the proceedings.

Services ended their league campaign with six points from five matches, with one win, three draws and one defeat. They pipped Meghalaya for the last quarter-finals spot as put teams ended Group B on the same points, but Services took the fourth spot in the group by dint of a superior goal difference. Kerala, who were already assured of the top spot in Group B and a spot in the last eight, ended the group with three wins, one draw, and one defeat.

Kerala were reduced to 10-men in the 65th minute as Muhammed Ashar was sent off for a second cautionable offence. But before that, Kerala started on an aggressive note as stopper Aboobacker Dilshad’s pile driver from 30 yards out shook the horizontal and bounced back.

That narrow let off galvanised Services into action as they kept possession and launched a series of attacks from the flanks. A goal seemed imminent, and they took the lead in the 17th minute.  Goalkeeper and captain Gagandeep Singh’s shrewd thinking saw him take a quick free-kick inside his own box and chip the ball to the unmarked Vijay Marandi in the centre. Vijay Marandi, in turn, pushed the ball down for Abhishek Pawar, who was moving in between the Kerala stoppers. He headed the ball down, advanced and let fly a low right-footer that settled into the far corner, giving Kerala custodian Hajmal S no chance whatsoever.

Though Kerala strove might and main to get back into the game with an increased pace in their attacks, the confident Services defence beat back their raids with ease. But Kerala all but scored in the later stages of the first half as Muhammed Ashique lobbed from the left. Gagandeep Singh’s interception was a bit weak, and Sajeesh headed it, but stopper Lalhming Chhuanga cleared on the line.

Services called the shots for most of the second half and rarely allowed Kerala any liberties in striking range, except once when Kerala substitute Arjun M M floated the ball into the box to send Sajeesh away, but the latter hit wide from close quarters.

Services came close to doubling the lead as Brijesh Giri found a long corridor for Jijo Jerone, but Hajmal rushed out of his line in time and checked his progress. But the miss did not matter as Services hung on to land in the quarter-final and leave Meghalaya crestfallen. 

The quarter-finals will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, where Bengal clash with Services, Tamil Nadu meet Punjab, hosts Assam take on Kerala, and Rajasthan lock horns with Railways.

The semi-finals will be played on February 5, with the final slatedfor February 8. All matches will be streamed live on FIFA Plus.

79th NFC for Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round Quarter-final lineup:

February 3, 2026:

Railways vs Rajasthan, Dhakuakhana Football Stadium, 09:00 IST
Tamil Nadu vs Punjab, Silapathar Football Stadium, 09:00 IST
West Bengal vs Services, Dhakuakhana Football Stadium, 14:00 IST
Kerala vs Assam, Silapathar Football Stadium, 14:00 IST