Thiruvananthapuram Kombans beat Kannur Warriors on penalties in Super League Kerala Round 2
Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC defeated defending champions Kannur Warriors FC 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium on 4th October 2026 in the final match of Round 2 of Super League Kerala 2026. The shootout was decided by three missed attempts from Kannur, allowing the home side to claim the victory and two points.
Kombans entered the match at the bottom of the table and played their first home game of the season with an aggressive, high-pressing approach that relied on long balls. Kannur responded with composed possession football, probing for openings and exploiting errors from the hosts. Muhammed Nisham broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, controlling a long pass on his chest and finishing to the far post to give Kombans a halftime lead. That goal was Kombans' first of the Super League Kerala 2026 campaign.
From the opening whistle Thiruvananthapuram sought to set the tempo, with Jamsheed, Patrick Mota and Paulo Santos driving forward and testing the Warriors' defence. Varo Alvarez intervened to snuff out several Kombans advances, while in the 31st minute Stamenkovic capitalised on a defensive error but saw his chance denied by goalkeeper Satyajit. Nisham and Arjun combined again late in the half to threaten a second goal before the interval.
The second half featured bright moments from both sides but few clear openings until a 60th-minute set-piece for Kombans. Substitute Shijin T won the free kick; Patrick Mota delivered and Paulo Santos connected with the ball, which then struck the crossbar. Kannur levelled in the 79th minute when Nijo Gilbert's measured cross found Frederick Ansah Botchway, who feinted past a defender and placed his shot into the bottom corner.
After the 1-1 draw the match went to penalties, where Kannur missed three attempts overall. Asier Gomes and Lavsamba both skied their efforts, while Kiatalua and Patrick Mota converted for Kannur. Varo Alvarez's penalty was struck to the right and saved by Satyajit, and Joao Diogo Marques stepped up to slot the deciding spot-kick for Kombans.
Satyajit produced multiple decisive interventions, including the 31st-minute stop and the save from Varo Alvarez's penalty, which proved crucial in the shootout. Arjun supplied the long ball that led to Muhammed Nisham's goal and combined with Nisham on other half-chances, while Thiruvananthapuram's frontline of Jamsheed, Mota and Paulo created sustained pressure despite occasional lapses in coordination.
Round 3 of Super League Kerala begins on 9th October with Kannur Warriors FC facing Forca Kochi FC at the Jawahar Municipal Stadium; on 10th October Thrissur Magic FC play Calicut FC at the Corporation Stadium, Thrissur; and on 11th October Thiruvananthapuram Kombans meet Malappuram FC at the Chandrashekaran Nair Stadium. The Malabar derby between Calicut FC and Malappuram FC will be available digitally on Zee5 and via linear coverage on Unite8 Sports in India, while viewers in the UAE can follow Super League Kerala through Etisalat.
