Defending champions Delhi kicked off their Group D campaign in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025-26 with a commanding 5-1 win over Sikkim, while Tripura, Punjab, and Maharashtra also posted victories on Tuesday.
Playing at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, Delhi took an early lead through Parth Subhash Salunke in the first half. Sikkim fought back after the interval, with Sujal Bhujel leveling the score. However, the momentum shifted decisively when Kanish Rawat struck two quick goals just past the hour mark, restoring Delhi’s advantage. Thongbam Lanchenba Singh and Kanak Raj Vohra added further goals to seal a comprehensive win for the defending champions.
In the other Group D match, Tripura defeated Himachal Pradesh 3-0 at the same venue. Arma Jamatia scored in first-half stoppage time and added another in injury time of the second half, while Kishan Debbarma contributed a goal in between to ensure a comfortable victory for Tripura.
Over in Group H, Punjab edged Goa 2-1 on Ground 2. Goa’s Jodric Abranches inadvertently put Punjab ahead with an own goal in the sixth minute but redeemed himself by equalizing in the 36th minute. Saqlane Sajid then netted the winner just before the hour mark to give Punjab the three points. Meanwhile, Maharashtra secured a narrow 1-0 win over Assam, with Nirvaan Bhatt scoring the only goal shortly after halftime.
After the opening round, Delhi top Group D on goal difference, followed by Tripura, while Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim sit third and fourth respectively. In Group H, Punjab lead on goal difference, with Maharashtra in second, Goa third, and Assam fourth. Only the group winners will advance to the quarter-finals.
