Inter Kashi FC registered their first-ever victory in the top tier of Indian football with a 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters FC in Match 18 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday.
The result lifted Inter Kashi provisionally to sixth place in the standings with five points, while Kerala Blasters continued to search for consistency in the early phase of the campaign. Alfred Planas was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.
Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala made four changes to his starting XI, introducing Muhammed Saheef, Vibin Mohanan, Matias Hernandez and Kevin Yoke. Inter Kashi head coach Antonio Habas made three alterations, bringing in Wayne Vaz, Nauris Petkevicius and Narender.
The contest began cautiously, with Rohit Danu testing Arsh Shaikh from distance in the second minute. The effort was comfortably saved as both sides struggled to create clear openings in the early exchanges.
Kerala Blasters threatened in the 15th minute when Oumar Bah headed wide from a Vibin Mohanan delivery. Inter Kashi responded through Petkevicius, who saw one attempt blocked before sending another wide after being set up by Planas.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute. Planas delivered a precise through ball into the path of Petkevicius, who created space and fired a right-footed strike into the net to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Kerala nearly equalised in first-half stoppage time, but Korou Singh failed to keep his shot down from close range following a low cross by Naocha Singh.
The hosts began the second half with renewed urgency. Substitute Jai Quitongo forced a save, while Bikash Y shot over from distance after a corner. Inter Kashi remained threatening on the counter, with Prasanth testing Arsh Shaikh in the 55th minute.
Muhammad Ajsal’s header in the 66th minute was well saved by goalkeeper Lluis Tarres, who also denied Kevin Yoke shortly after.
Inter Kashi extended their lead in the 78th minute through a well-worked move. Petkevicius set up Planas inside the box, and the Spaniard placed a composed finish into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.
Kerala Blasters pulled one back in the 84th minute when Ebindas Y delivered a cross following a set-piece and Victor Bertomeu produced an acrobatic finish from a tight angle.
Bertomeu came close to an equaliser in stoppage time but was unable to convert, as Inter Kashi defended resolutely to secure a memorable 2-1 victory.
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