The final was a tight, tactical battle between two experienced sides, with both teams cancelling each other out during the 90 minutes of regulation time. Chances were few and far between, and neither defence was willing to give an inch as the contest moved into extra time with the score still level.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 109th minute, when Abhishek Pawar stepped up for Services and produced the decisive moment. His goal proved to be the difference in a tense encounter, sparking celebrations on the Services bench and breaking Kerala’s resistance late in the contest.

Kerala pushed hard in the remaining minutes, throwing players forward in search of an equaliser, but Services showed composure and discipline to see the game out and secure the national crown once again.

With this win, Services further cement their status as one of the most successful teams in Santosh Trophy history. Kerala, despite falling short in the final, can take pride in a strong tournament run and a spirited performance on the biggest stage.

Final Score: Services 1 (Abhishek Pawar 109’) – Kerala 0

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The group stage features 35 teams, divided into eight groups of four teams and one group of three teams. The nine group winners will join host Assam, defending champions West Bengal, and last season’s runners-up Kerala to complete the 12-team Final Round lineup.

Below are the officially announced group fixtures and where they are going to be hosted:

GROUP A – Mahilpur, Punjab

Teams: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab
December 15: Jammu & Kashmir vs Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh vs Punjab
December 17: Himachal Pradesh vs Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh vs Punjab
December 19: Ladakh vs Himachal Pradesh, Punjab vs Jammu & Kashmir

GROUP B – Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

Teams: Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
December 16: Uttarakhand vs Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh vs Haryana
December 18: Haryana vs Uttarakhand, Chandigarh vs Uttar Pradesh
December 20: Chandigarh vs Haryana, Uttarakhand vs Uttar Pradesh

GROUP C – Delhi

Teams: Bihar, Jharkhand, Railways, Delhi
December 15: Bihar vs Railways, Jharkhand vs Delhi
December 17: Railways vs Jharkhand, Delhi vs Bihar
December 19: Bihar vs Jharkhand, Delhi vs Railways

GROUP D – Agartala, Tripura

Teams: Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura
December 15: Mizoram vs Nagaland, Manipur vs Tripura
December 17: Nagaland vs Manipur, Tripura vs Mizoram
December 19: Manipur vs Mizoram, Nagaland vs Tripura

GROUP E – Shillong, Meghalaya

Teams: Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
December 19: Meghalaya vs Sikkim
December 21: Sikkim vs Arunachal Pradesh
December 23: Arunachal Pradesh vs Meghalaya

GROUP F – Narainpur, Chhattisgarh

Teams: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana
December 22: Odisha vs Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh vs Telangana
December 24: Telangana vs Odisha, Madhya Pradesh vs Chhattisgarh
December 26: Madhya Pradesh vs Telangana, Chhattisgarh vs Odisha

GROUP G – Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Teams: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
December 17: Andaman & Nicobar vs Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh vs Pondicherry
December 19: Tamil Nadu vs Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry vs Andaman & Nicobar
December 21: Andaman & Nicobar vs Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry vs Tamil Nadu

GROUP H – Bengaluru, Karnataka

Teams: Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Services
December 20: Goa vs Services, Karnataka vs Lakshadweep
December 22: Lakshadweep vs Goa, Services vs Karnataka
December 24: Lakshadweep vs Services, Goa vs Karnataka

GROUP I – Jaipur, Rajasthan

Teams: Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
December 17: Gujarat vs Maharashtra, DNH & DD vs Rajasthan
December 19: Maharashtra vs DNH & DD, Rajasthan vs Gujarat
December 21: DNH & DD vs Gujarat, Maharashtra vs Rajasthan

FINALS IN ASSAM

The final round will be played in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji in Assam. This will be the first time in over a decade that the state hosts the concluding stage of the prestigious national tournament.

With a mix of historic powerhouses and rising state teams, the 2025–26 Santosh Trophy promises high-quality football and a thrilling fight for one of India’s oldest and most respected titles.

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A major update from the All India Football Federation adds an important shift this year: state teams will not be allowed to field outstation players. This decision aims to ensure that every team represents its own footballing ecosystem, giving priority to home-grown players and strengthening local development across all states.

Here are the official groups for the 2025–26 season:

Group A: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab
Group B: Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
Group C: Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Railways
Group D: Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
Group E: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim
Group F: Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana
Group G: Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
Group H: Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Services
Group I: DNH & DD, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan

With a another strong and competitive season approaching, the 2025–26 Santosh Trophy promises a more authentic and development-focused season across India.

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Divided into six groups, the matches will be played in six venues. They are Fatorda, Goa (Group A), Banga and Phagwara, Punjab (Group B), Uttar Pradesh (Group C), Kokrajhar, Assam (Group D), Amritsar, Punjab (Group E) and Kolhapur, Maharashtra (Group F).

Arunachal Pradesh, who are the hosts for the Final Rounds, have been exempted from playing the group stages.

Maharashtra has been placed in Group F alongside Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Telangana, Tripura, and Andhra Pradesh.

Group A: Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Gujarat

Group B: Odisha, Delhi, Haryana, West Bengal, Punjab and Ladakh

Group C: Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh

Group D: Assam, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Railways and Bihar

Group E: Services, Uttarakhand, DNH & DD, Pondicherry, Sikkim and Mizoram

Group F: Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura

Check out the fixtures here: Click here

Also Read: Carlos Martinez strike gives FC Goa a 1-0 win over Punjab FC

Also Read: India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here

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The teams from across India have been divided into groups across five zones – North Zone, West Zone, South Zone, East Zone, and the North-East Zone. The teams finishing at the top of their respective groups will then progress to the Final Round of the Hero Santosh Trophy, which is set to take place in Kerala, later this year.

East Zone

Group A: Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar.

Fixtures:

December 1: Odisha vs Bihar, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

December 3: Bihar vs Jharkhand, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

December 5: Jharkhand vs Odisha, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Group B: West Bengal, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh.

Fixtures:

November 21: Chhattisgarh vs West Bengal, Kalyani Municipal Stadium, Kalyani.

November 23: Sikkim vs Chhattisgarh, Kalyani Municipal Stadium, Kalyani.

November 25: West Bengal vs Sikkim, Kalyani Municipal Stadium, Kalyani.

North-East Zone

Group A: Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam.

Fixtures:

November 28: Assam vs Meghalaya, JLN Stadium, Shillong.

November 30: Arunachal Pradesh vs Assam, JLN Stadium, Shillong.

December 2: Meghalaya vs Arunachal Pradesh, JLN Stadium, Shillong.

Group B: Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland.

Fixtures:

November 28: Manipur vs Nagaland, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

November 28: Mizoram vs Tripura, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

November 30: Tripura vs Manipur, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

November 30: Nagaland vs Mizoram, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

December 2: Tripura vs Nagaland, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

December 2: Manipur vs Mizoram, Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal.

North Zone

Group A: Chandigarh, Services, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.

Fixtures:

November 21: Services vs Himachal Pradesh, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 21: J&K vs Chandigarh, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 23: Chandigarh vs UP, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 23: J&K vs Services, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 25: UP vs J&K, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 25: Himachal Pradesh vs Chandigarh, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 27: Himachal Pradesh vs J&K, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 27: Services vs UP, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 29: UP vs Himachal Pradesh, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

November 29: Chandigarh vs Services, Sports Complex, Sector 7, Chandigarh.

Group B: Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand.

Fixtures:

December 1: Delhii vs Uttarakhand, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

December 1: Punjab vs Haryana, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

December 3: Haryana vs Delhi, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

December 3: Uttarakhand vs Punjab, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

December 5: Haryana vs Uttarakhand, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

December 5: Delhi vs Punjab, JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

West Zone

Group A: Gujarat, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

Fixtures:

November 24: Gujarat vs D&N, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

November 24: Goa vs D&D, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

November 26: D&D vs Gujarat, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

November 26: D&N vs Goa, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

November 28: D&D vs D&N, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

November 28: Gujarat vs Goa, MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

Group B: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh.

December 1: MP vs Rajasthan, Poornima University, Jaipur.

December 3: Maharashtra vs MP, Poornima University, Jaipur.

December 3: Rajasthan vs Maharashtra, Poornima University, Jaipur.

South Zone

Group A: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

Fixtures:

November 23: Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu, BFS, Bengaluru.

November 23: Telangana vs Andhra Pradesh, BFS, Bengaluru.

November 25: Andhra Pradesh vs Karnataka, BFS, Bengaluru.

November 25: Tamil Nadu vs Telangana, BFS, Bengaluru.

November 27: Andhra Pradesh vs Tamil Nadu, BFS, Bengaluru.

November 27: Karnataka vs Telangana, BFS, Bengaluru.

CREDITS- AIFF MEDIA

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: 16 year old Arunachal boy Gyamar Nikum makes his debuts in I league Qualifiers

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After scoring a hat-trick in the previous game against Lakshadeep, striker Ranjeet Singh continued his goal scoring exploits in to the last game. Coming up with another impressive showing, Ranjeet scored both the goals in Maharashtra’s 2-0 win over Madhya Pradesh during their final Group-B qualifying round league match. The win meant Maharashtra qualifies for the final rounds of 72^nd National Football Championship (Santosh Trophy) with an all win record.

This was the third straight win for Maharashtra who finished on top in the Group B of West Zone and qualified for the final round of the National championship. Maharashtra had earlier defeated Daman & Diu 7-0 in the opening group match and scored a 5-0 win against Lakshadweep in the second game.

Ranjit Singh Pandre currently tops the leading goal scorer’s chart for Maharashtra with five goals in three games. The Union Bank of India player looks to be in good form with an hat-trick and brace to his name in the last two game and the club would love to see this youngster continuing his goal scoring exploits in to the MDFA Elite Division.

Results: Maharashtra 2 (Ranjit Singh Pandre) – 0 Madhya Pradesh

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The feature of Maharashtra’s victory was the fine efforts from striker Ranjeet Singh who netted a hat-trick scoring three of the first four goals, scored in the first half. Sahil Bhokare and Aaron D’Costa scored the other two goals.

Maharashtra captain and goalkeeper Owais Khan unnecessarily came out of his area and handled the ball which prompted the referee to immediately flash the red card at the offending custodian in the 45th minute.

Playing with a man down, Maharashtra slowed the game down in the second period and they were more intent of keeping ball possession and managed to add one more goal to the four that they had scored in the first session.

Ranjeet found success in the opening moments of the match scoring from Maharashtra first raid on the rival goal. He scored two more in the 26th minute (penalty) and 35th minute while Bhokare scored one in the 27th minute. D’Costa fired home the fifth in the 49th minute.

Hat-trick hero Ranjeet Singh, who plays for Elite Division side Union Bank of India (UBI), belongs from Chattisgarh and has recently moved to UBI after the club spotted the young and lanky striker. Union Bank of India is itself known for producing emerging players and has been following the same philosophy for over the years. It is quite fascinating that a player from other state has found his feet so quickly in different conditions.

Results: Maharashtra 5 (Ranjeet Singh 1st min, 26th min-Pen, 35th min, Sahil Bhokare 26th min, Aaron D’Costa 49th min) beat Lakshadweep 0.

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The match started on a bitter note for Maharashtra when striker Mervin Stephen failed to convert from the penalty spot in the 7th minute. But the determined Maharashtra side didn’t look back and responded brilliantly when Aaron D’Costa scored the opening goal through Mervin’s delicate ball in the 10th minute.

Aaron was in some hot-form today as he doubled Maharashtra’s lead in the 33rd minute with a sublime goal. Advait Shinde made it 3-0 in the 39th minute as Maharashtra went into the break with a three-goal advantage.

The second-half was much better and clinical from Maharashtra’s perspective. The team scored four times after the break, courtesy of Aniket Doshi (76th minute), a 30-yard screamer from Lineker Machado in the 82nd minute, Mervin (86th minute) and Dion Menezes in the 90th minute which completed a resounding win for Team Maharashtra.

Maharashtra will play Lakshadweep on 11th January in their second Santosh Trophy game.

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After gruelling trials and training at Cooperage Football Stadium, the team has finally been declared. The team boasts of young talent blended with experience.

The team is as follows:

Ashwin Ahire, Floyd Dharmai, Mrunal Tandel, Aaron D’costa, Harshad Meher, Abhishek Ambekar, Shravan Shetty, Dion Menezes, Leander Dharmai, Vinil Poojary, Astle Pereira (Mumbai), Rahul Das, Vaibhav Shirley, Sebin Varghese, Abdulla Ansari, Sumit Gawande, Faizan Akhtar(Nagpur), Vikas Zanje, Rahul Kadlag (Pune) & Kiran Pandhare (Solapur).

Floyd Dharmai will be leading the team & Abhishek Ambekar will be his deputy.

The Head Coach of the team is AFC A License holder Mr Godfred Pereira accompanied by Manager Eugene Norbert & Physiotherapist Pushkar Ganoo.

The West Zone Qualifying round of the 71^st National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy is to be held at Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh from 3^rd to 8^th January 2017.

Matches will be played on a single leg league basis and the top teams from each group will qualify for the Final round of the Championship.

Match Schedule:

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This was Maharashtra’s third win in a row after their 6-2 and 8-0 victory over Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh respectively. Maharashtra’s goal tally has been increased to a mammoth 23 goals in just three matches.

Striker Mervin Stephen spearheading the Maharashtra attack notched up a fine hat-trick, which also is his 6th goal of the Championships. Mervin currently has scored in each of the Maharashtra’s matches and will be further looking to add to his tally when they face Goa on 18th February. Whereas Harlod Fernandes registered a brace of goals while Abhishek Ambekar, Wayne Vaz, Shrikant Veeramallu and Raynier Fernandes chipped in with one each to seal the big win.

Abhishek Ambekar, Shrikant Veermallu, Harold Fernandes and Raynier Fernandes has been also Maharashtra’s best performers who are showing no sign of mercy in each of their matches. In their very first match Abhishek Ambekar was on the score sheet too with two goals against Gujarat, whereas Ex Air India’s attacker Shrikant is contributing his part in scoring and as well as by providing goals for Maharashtra.

Their next opponent Goa will be surely planning something big in hope to overcome Maharashtra where a win will help Goa topping the West Zone group. Goa defeated Daman & Diu, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat 11-1, 1-0 and 6-0 respectively to stay in the contention to top the group.

Meanwhile on the other hand, Maharashtra just need a draw to top the table but surely the players and management will be aiming to go for all three points on Thursday.

Result – Maharashtra 9 (Mervin Stephen 10^th, 23^rd, 63^rd, Abhishek Ambekar 26^th, Wayne Vaz 40^th, Shrikant Veeramallu 50^th, Harold Fernandes 70^th, 75^th, Raynier Fernandes 89^th) beat Daman & Diu 0.

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