ISL 2025-26: Inter Kashi Claim First ISL Win with 2-1 Victory Over Kerala Blasters

A composed team performance saw Inter Kashi FC register their first-ever win in the top tier of Indian football with a memorable 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC in Match 18 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The historic triumph marked a watershed moment for the club promoted from the I-League, demonstrating their ability to compete at India’s highest level.

Goals from Lithuanian forward Nauris Petkevičius and Spanish midfielder Alfred Planas proved decisive as Inter Kashi climbed provisionally to sixth in the standings with five points, while Kerala Blasters were left searching for consistency in the early phase of the campaign. Planas was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

Match Summary

Scorers and Timeline

Team Selection and Tactical Setup

Kerala Blasters head coach David Català made four changes to his starting XI, introducing Muhammed Saheef, Vibin Mohanan, Matías Hernández, and French forward Kévin Yoke. The alterations signaled Català’s intent to inject fresh energy and creativity into his attacking setup following previous results.

Inter Kashi head coach Antonio Habas, the experienced Spanish tactician known for his defensive organization and counter-attacking prowess, made three alterations to his lineup. He introduced Wayne Vaz in midfield, Lithuanian forward Nauris Petkevičius to lead the line, and defender Narender to shore up the backline. These changes proved instrumental in Inter Kashi’s game plan.

Cautious Opening Exchanges

The match began tentatively, with both teams sizing each other up in the opening minutes. The first real opportunity arrived as early as the second minute when Inter Kashi midfielder Rohit Danu tested Kerala goalkeeper Arsh Shaikh from distance. The shot, struck cleanly, forced Shaikh into action, though he comfortably gathered the effort to deny the visitors an early breakthrough.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with neither side able to impose themselves in the final third. Both teams appeared content to probe for weaknesses rather than commit numbers forward, resulting in a measured start to proceedings at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Kerala Blasters gradually began to assert themselves through their set-piece prowess. In the 15th minute, center-back Oumar Bah rose highest to meet Vibin Mohanan’s delivery into the box. However, the Senegalese defender’s header flew wide of the target, missing a golden opportunity to give the hosts an early lead.

Petkevičius Breaks the Deadlock

At the other end, Nauris Petkevičius was proving to be a constant menace to the Kerala defense. The Lithuanian forward saw one effort blocked by desperate defending before firing another attempt wide of the target after being expertly picked out by Alfred Planas. His persistence would soon be rewarded.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute, just after the first water break. Alfred Planas, operating in a playmaking role, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Petkevičius. The forward created space for himself with intelligent movement before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike that flew into the center of the net. Kerala goalkeeper Arsh Shaikh had no chance as the ball nestled in the back of the net, giving Inter Kashi a crucial 1-0 lead.

The goal energized the visitors and momentarily silenced the passionate home crowd. Petkevičius’s celebration reflected the significance of the moment—not just for himself but for the entire Inter Kashi squad chasing their maiden ISL 2025-26 victory.

Kerala’s Missed Opportunity

Kerala Blasters had a golden opportunity to equalize in stoppage time of the first half. Naocha Singh delivered a dangerous low cross into the Inter Kashi penalty area, finding Korou Singh in a promising position. However, the forward failed to keep his effort down, blazing the ball over the crossbar when he should have tested goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés. The miss proved costly as the hosts went into the interval trailing by a single goal.

The first half ended with Inter Kashi holding a slender advantage, their defensive organization and clinical finishing giving them the edge over the frustrated home side.

Kerala’s Second-Half Urgency

The Blasters emerged from the dressing room with noticeably greater urgency, determined to salvage something from the match. Head coach David Català had clearly delivered a rousing halftime team talk, urging his players to increase their intensity and tempo.

Substitute Jai Quitongo forced an early save from Lluis Tarrés shortly after the restart, signaling Kerala’s more aggressive approach. Defender Bikash Y then tried his luck from distance following a corner, but his ambitious effort sailed over the crossbar.

Despite Kerala’s improved attacking intent, Inter Kashi remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Their defensive discipline allowed them to absorb pressure while looking for opportunities to exploit spaces left by Kerala’s forward momentum. Midfielder Prasanth tested Arsh Shaikh in the 55th minute with a well-struck effort that the goalkeeper dealt with confidently.

Kerala Push for the Equalizer

Kerala’s first meaningful effort on target came in the 66th minute when striker Muhammad Ajsal connected with a header from close range. The attempt looked destined for the net, but Inter Kashi goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés produced an excellent save to preserve his team’s lead. The Spanish shot-stopper stood firm once again minutes later to deny French forward Kévin Yoke, demonstrating the composure that had characterized Inter Kashi’s entire performance.

The home side continued to press, with wave after wave of attacks testing Inter Kashi’s defensive resolve. The promoted side’s backline, marshaled expertly by their experienced defenders, held firm under intense pressure. Every clearance, block, and interception brought them closer to their historic victory.

Planas Seals the Victory

Just as Kerala appeared to be gaining momentum, Inter Kashi struck a potentially decisive second goal in the 78th minute through a brilliantly worked move. Nauris Petkevičius, who had been a thorn in Kerala’s side throughout the match, once again played a pivotal role. He received the ball in midfield and immediately identified Alfred Planas making an intelligent run on the right side of the penalty area.

Petkevičius delivered a perfectly timed pass into Planas’s path. The Spanish midfielder took a touch to control before placing a precise right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Arsh Shaikh, despite diving the correct way, could not prevent the ball from nestling in the corner. Inter Kashi now led 2-0, and their maiden ISL victory appeared secure.

The goal sent the Inter Kashi players and coaching staff into jubilant celebrations. For a team making their debut in India’s top football league, this moment represented the culmination of years of hard work and ambition.

Bertomeu’s Late Response

Kerala Blasters refused to surrender despite the two-goal deficit. Their persistence was rewarded in the 84th minute when substitute Ebindas Y delivered a dangerous cross into the Inter Kashi penalty area following a set-piece. Víctor Bertomeu, demonstrating exceptional technique and improvisation, produced an acrobatic right-footed finish from a tight angle to pull one back for the home side.

The Spanish midfielder’s spectacular strike gave Kerala hope of salvaging a point and set up a tense finale. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium crowd, which had been subdued following Inter Kashi’s second goal, suddenly found renewed voice as they urged their team forward.

Dramatic Final Minutes

Bertomeu nearly found an equalizer in the closing stages, embodying Kerala’s desperate search for a leveler. First, he saw a powerful header blocked by resolute Inter Kashi defending. Then, deep into stoppage time, he rose to meet another cross but couldn’t direct his header on target, the ball sailing wide of the post.

The final minutes saw Kerala throw everything forward, committing players to attack in search of the equalizing goal. Inter Kashi defended resolutely, showing the mental strength and tactical discipline instilled by head coach Antonio Habas. Every player wore the shirt with pride, understanding the historical significance of the result they were protecting.

When the final whistle blew, Inter Kashi’s players and staff erupted in celebration. They had achieved what many doubted was possible—securing their first-ever victory in the ISL 2025-26 season against an established Kerala Blasters side on their home turf.

Player of the Match: Alfred Planas

Alfred Planas received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding all-round performance. The Spanish midfielder was instrumental in both goals, providing the assist for Petkevičius’s opener with an inch-perfect through ball and then scoring the crucial second goal himself.

Planas’s intelligent movement, technical quality, and tactical awareness exemplified Inter Kashi’s composed approach to the match. His ability to create and finish chances demonstrated why head coach Antonio Habas placed such faith in him. Beyond his goal contributions, Planas worked tirelessly in midfield, helping his team control possession and disrupting Kerala’s attacking rhythm.

Match Statistics

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