Punjab FC defend AIFF Junior League title with 5-3 shootout win over Minerva Academy
Synopsis
Punjab FC needed nerves of steel and a goalkeeper's brilliance to defend their AIFF Junior League crown. After Minerva Academy FC dominated possession and equalised early in the second half, it was Augustasya Gupta's diving save in the shootout that broke the deadlock — and Jasmeet Singh, scorer of the opening goal, who stepped up last to clinch it. Back-to-back titles, same two Punjab sides, same venue.
Key Takeaways
Punjab FC defeated Minerva Academy FC 5-3 on penalties to retain the DSC AIFF Junior League title on 14 May in Bambolim, Goa .
Regulation time ended 1-1 : Jasmeet Singh scored in the 38th minute for Punjab FC; Md Azam Khan equalised in the 49th minute for Minerva Academy FC.
Goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta saved Ramung Zimik's penalty — the turning point of the shootout — and was named Player of the Match .
Jasmeet Singh converted the decisive fifth penalty and won the Player of the Tournament award.
This is the second consecutive all-Punjab final at the AIFF Junior League, with Punjab FC winning both editions.
Punjab FC retained the DSC AIFF Junior League title on 14 May at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium in Goa, defeating Minerva Academy FC 5-3 on penalties after the final ended 1-1 in regulation time. In a repeat of last year's decider, the all-Punjab clash delivered a nervy, high-quality contest that went the distance before goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta's match-defining save sealed back-to-back titles for Punjab FC.
How the Match Unfolded
Minerva Academy FC dominated the opening exchanges, controlling 67 per cent of possession and creating seven clear chances in the first half alone. Despite that territorial command, they could not convert, and Punjab FC punished them against the run of play.
In the 38th minute, Kamlesh Chand threaded a precise through ball to Jasmeet Singh, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home to give Punjab FC the lead at the break.
Azam Khan Levels, Second Half Turns Tense
The second half opened at pace. Just four minutes after the restart, Md Azam Khan levelled in the 49th minute with a moment of individual quality — surging down the left, beating two defenders, and reacting quickest to his own deflected effort to restore parity.
Azam came close again in the 53rd minute, but an excellent clearance from Akash P kept the scores level. Punjab FC's substitute Arambam Deepak Singh had an acrobatic effort brilliantly saved at the other end. Eight minutes of stoppage time yielded no winner, sending the match to penalties.
The Penalty Shootout
Punjab FC converted all five of their spot-kicks. Pawandeep Singh, Aayush Koul, Akash P, Kabyansh Rai, and captain Jasmeet Singh all scored. For Minerva Academy FC, Konthoujam Denamoni, Md Azam Khan, and Greatson Hidam converted, but substitute Ramung Zimik's third-round effort was saved by Gupta with a brilliant diving stop — the moment that effectively decided the title.
Individual Honours
Goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta was named Player of the Match for his crucial save. Jasmeet Singh, who scored in regulation and converted the decisive fifth penalty, was awarded the Player of the Tournament accolade. His leadership from the front — opening the scoring and closing out the shootout — defined Punjab FC's campaign.
What This Title Means
Back-to-back AIFF Junior League titles mark Punjab FC as a dominant force in Indian youth football. Notably, this is the second consecutive all-Punjab final, underlining the state's growing pipeline of junior talent. The result will strengthen confidence ahead of future AFC youth competitions where AIFF Junior League champions earn qualification pathways.
Point of View
Seven first-half chances, and a quality equaliser — yet lost on the night's single defining moment: a goalkeeper's dive in the third round of penalties. Punjab FC's resilience in the face of sustained pressure is a coaching story as much as a talent story. Two consecutive all-Punjab finals also raise a structural question for Indian youth football: the same two clubs dominating a national junior title suggests the gap between Punjab's academies and the rest of the country is widening, not closing.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the AIFF Junior League 2025 title?
Punjab FC won the DSC AIFF Junior League 2025 title, defeating Minerva Academy FC 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium in Goa on 14 May. It is their second consecutive Junior League title.
What was the result of the Punjab FC vs Minerva Academy final?
The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Jasmeet Singh scoring for Punjab FC in the 38th minute and Md Azam Khan equalising for Minerva Academy FC in the 49th minute. Punjab FC won the penalty shootout 5-3.
Who was the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament?
Goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta was named Player of the Match for his crucial penalty save during the shootout. Jasmeet Singh, who scored in regulation and converted the decisive fifth penalty, was awarded Player of the Tournament.
What was the turning point in the penalty shootout?
The turning point came in the third round when Punjab FC goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta produced a brilliant diving save to deny Minerva Academy FC substitute Ramung Zimik. At that stage Punjab FC led 3-2, and the save proved decisive.
Where was the AIFF Junior League 2025 final played?
The final was played at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa on 14 May. It was a repeat of the previous year's final, with the same two Punjab-based clubs contesting the title.
