The Santosh Trophy is one of the fondest memories of Indian football, especially Kerala football. The tournament was known as the Indian World Cup. Though the All India Football Federation turned it into a tournament for the younger generation to play and grow, the Santosh Trophy, which was won by the Kerala team by defeating West Bengal in a shootout, filled the minds of the fans with excitement. An achievement that brought back the old pride of Kerala in football.

Jijo Joseph, the Kerala team Captain received the cup after creating much tension and excitement in the Payannad gallery. After 90 minutes without a goal, the first half of extra time led by Bengal and the second half of extra time when Kerala fought back led the fans of football to the excitement of a shootout. In the shootout, Bengal shot one shot over the top of the net while Kerala scored all five goals in the shootout.

The goals scored by Dilip Orwan (Bengal) and Muhammed Safnad (Kerala) in extra-time took the game to penalties.In the shootout,. Kerala converted all their shots while Bengal’s Sajal Bag missed his. Sanju G, Bibin Ajayan, captain Jijo Joseph, Jesin TK and Fasalu Rahman scored for Kerala in the shootout.

This is the seventh time Kerala has won the Santosh Trophy. This is the second time they have beaten Bengal to win the title. Kerala beat Bengal in the Santosh Trophy final in 2018 for the first time in Kolkata. That victory was also in the shootout. Mithun was the goalkeeper then.

Everyone on the team coached by Bino George who took Gokulam Kerala FC to victory deserves appreciation. The tournament not only won the title for Kerala but also a handful of future players. Thank you to the Government of Kerala for taking the initiative to host the Santosh Trophy in Kerala and to the people of Malappuram who celebrated it during the fasting period.The Kerala Blasters could not win the final shootout in the ISL this season. But this victory made the football fans in Kerala happy. Congratulating everyone who worked hard for this success.