Kochi, March 21 -- First-half strikes from Samir Zeljkovic, Bede Osuji and Dani Ramirez ensured Punjab FC breezed past Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 in Match 40 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.

Punjab FC climbed to fifth place in the table with eight points from five matches, while Kerala Blasters remained 13th with just one point from six outings. The victory also marked Punjab's third consecutive win in Kochi, making them only the second team in the league to achieve this feat. Samir Zeljkovic was adjudged Player of the Match for his standout performance, according to a press release from the AIFF Media.

Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala named an unchanged starting XI for the firs...