AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Strong contenders Kerala began their campaign on a winning note in the 71^st National Championship for the Santosh Trophy when they rallied to beat Railways 4-2 at the GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa on Wednesday (March 15, 2017).

In another match, Punjab and Mizoram played a goalless draw at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco.

The wake-up call for Kerala came in the 18^th minute when Railways surged into the lead through Rajesh Soosanayakam.

However, Kerala restored parity within three minutes with Jobby Justin scoring in the 21^st minute.

Kerala took the vital 2-1 lead just prior to the interval, this time Justin doubling the score in added time (45+1).

Changing over, Kerala were gifted a 3-1 lead when Railways Deepak Kachhap scored an own goal in the 63^rd minute.

Thereafter, Kerala captain Usman made it 4-1 in the 72^nd minute to take it beyond Railways’ reach.

Soosanayakam did score another for Railways in the 86^th minute but it came a bit too late.