Hosts Assam were knocked out of the Santosh Trophy after suffering a 3–0 defeat to Kerala in the quarter-final of the main round on Tuesday, February 3. The loss brought an end to Assam’s campaign at the last-eight stage in front of home supporters.
The quarter-final was played at Chilapathar, where Kerala, runners-up in the previous edition, asserted early control and capitalised on key moments to secure a convincing win.
Hosts Assam exited the Santosh Trophy after a 3–0 loss to Kerala in the quarter-finals at Chilapathar on February 3. Kerala scored twice in the first half and added a late third to seal the contest, ending Assam’s run at the last-eight stage of the tournament.
Early Goals Put Kerala in Control
Kerala took the lead in the 17th minute when Manoj M. converted from a corner to put the visitors ahead. Assam struggled to settle after conceding early, and just before halftime, Mohammed Azchal doubled Kerala’s advantage in the 44th minute, giving the visitors a firm grip on the match.
The two-goal cushion allowed Kerala to control the tempo going into the break, while Assam faced an uphill task in the second half.
Assam’s Second-Half Push Falls Short
After the restart, Assam showed greater attacking intent. Mayukh Gogoi, Pranjal Bhumij, Rituraj Mohan, and Sudipta Konwar led the push forward, creating chances and increasing pressure in the Kerala half.
Despite improved tempo and possession, the hosts were unable to convert opportunities into goals. Against the run of play, Kerala sealed the result in stoppage time, with Abubakar Dilshad scoring in the 90+2 minute to make it 3–0.
Other Quarter-final Results
The quarter-finals also saw major upsets elsewhere in Assam.
At Dhakuakhana, defending champions West Bengal were eliminated by Services in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw through regulation and extra time. Services won 3–2 on penalties.
Railways progressed to the semi-finals with a 2–0 win over Rajasthan, while Punjab edged past Tamil Nadu 4–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.
Guwahati’s Hopes End at Last Eight
With Guwahati serving as the nerve centre for the tournament’s organisation and fan engagement, Assam’s exit at the quarter-final stage was a disappointment for local supporters who had hoped for a deeper run by the hosts.
Officials and fans, however, acknowledged the team’s effort in reaching the knockout stage in a highly competitive edition.
What Happens Next
The Santosh Trophy semi-finals will be played on February 5, with Kerala advancing as one of the contenders for the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where did Assam lose their Santosh Trophy quarter-final?
Assam lost 3–0 to Kerala at Chilapathar in the quarter-final.
Q2. When will the Santosh Trophy semi-finals be played?
The semi-finals are scheduled for February 5.
