BREAKING
Rahul Navin gets one-year extension as ED chiefNews Updates 09.08.2026: Unfortunate that students unwilling to end protests, says Jharkhand govt panelRSS-backed Muslim body launches ‘connect with roots’ drive at RajghatED chief Rahul Navin gets one-year extension, to remain in office until August 2027WB hospitals observe 2-minute silence on second anniversary of RG Kar doctor’s deathKarnataka monsoon intensifies: Rain forecast across state till August 13, Bengaluru sees heavy downpourKerala teacher suspended over controversial Savarkar question in school quizRam Charan Teja Akula, Shanvi Reddy win Telangana U-13 badminton singles titlesRenukaswamy murder case: Darshan’s close aide Pradosh seeks approver status, makes fresh allegationsRight-wing commentator TG Mohandas taken into custody over ‘girls enjoy rape’ remark
Sports

Season 3 of Super League Kerala to skip draws from group stage itself

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 09 Aug 2026 2 hours ago

Super League Kerala (SLK) will eliminate drawn games from the group stage onwards by using penalty shootouts to decide tied matches.

A win in regular time will earn three points, while a penalty shootout victory grants two points and one point to the losing team.

The upcoming season will see six teams compete, with plans to introduce two new teams next year.

Kochi: The upcoming third season of Super League Kerala (SLK), a tournament which gave a professional touch to football in the state, will feature no drawn games. Draws will be avoided from the group stage itself by conducting a penalty shootout when scores are tied after 90 minutes of regular play.

While teams which win during regular time will be awarded three points, the victorious team in a penalty shootout will receive two points and their opponent, a single point. The new method will follow the ‘J League’ model in Japan. SLK organisers believe that the new system would make matches more competitive.

The kickoff of Season 3 of SLK will take place in Kannur on September 25, with last season’s champion Kannur Warriors taking on fellow finalist Thrissur Magic FC. However, the organisers have yet to decide the complete match fixture.

Home and away games
Semifinal games will be conducted in ‘home and away’ method this season. Meanwhile, negotiations with Zee 5 and Unite8 channels for live telecast of the matches are in the final stage. “As during the previous season, six teams will compete this year also. However, two new teams, Kasaragod and Palakkad, will be a part of the league from next year,” Firoz Meeran, the Managing Director of SLK, told ‘Malayala Manorama’.

Teams busy with recruitment
Currently, teams are engaged in hectic recruitment of players, coaches and supporting staff. Muhammed Sinan, who won the award for the best young footballer last season, will continue with Kannur Warriors. Andre Chernyshov, who coached Thrissur Magic last season, will manage Kannur Warriors this time. Meanwhile, Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa will be training Malappuram this season.

Forca returning to Kaloor
Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor will host the home games of Forca Kochi team this season. Last time, Forca’s home ground was the football field at Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam. However, there could be a change in the SLK venue in Kochi if ISL (Indian Super League) games are scheduled at Kaloor stadium.

Related News