Garhshankar erupted in joy as Punjab FC clinched the AIFF Elite Youth League 2025-26 final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Zinc Football Academy on Tuesday. What began as a tightly contested affair transformed dramatically in the second half, with ‘The Cubs’ netting three goals within a blistering 10-minute window.
Punjab FC dictated terms right from kickoff at Ramsar Saheb Sports Stadium. Their forwards Vishal and Sameer peppered Zinc’s goal early, but goalkeeper Smarnik Thapa’s heroics preserved parity. A corner in the 30th minute saw Satnam’s header brilliantly tipped away, while Zinc’s set-piece threats were neutralized by Punjab’s solid keeper Vishwajit.
Halftime arrived with scores level at 0-0, but Punjab FC flipped the script post-interval. Karish Soram opened the floodgates in the 69th minute with a sublime curling strike that kissed the top corner. Captain Vishal Yadav doubled the lead seconds later, capitalizing on a defensive error to outfox Thapa and score.
The third goal sealed the deal in the 79th minute. Sayonba Singh’s exquisite pass found Rishikant Singh, who danced past defenders and rifled home from the left. Punjab maintained possession and poise till the final whistle, defending their title in style before ecstatic supporters.
This triumph highlights the depth of talent in Punjab FC’s youth setup. With clinical finishing and unyielding defense, they’ve set a high bar for emerging talents across Indian football, promising more glory ahead.
