Kerala Blasters begin new era with 2-0 win over Inter Kashi in ISL opener

Kerala Blasters opened their new era under fresh ownership with a 2-0 win over Inter Kashi, as Vibin Mohanan's first-half strike and Andre Green's stoppage-time finish sealed three points. While the Blasters made a winning start, Inter Kashi's off-field turmoil continued to cast a shadow over their campaign despite flashes of promise in Pune.Kerala Blasters kickstarted their new season with a 2-0 win over Inter Kashi. (Image: ISL Media)Pune,Oct 11, 2026 20:02 ISTKerala Blasters began their new era under fresh ownership with a 2-0 win over Inter Kashi in their opening match of the 2026-27 Indian Super League season in Pune on Sunday. Vibin Mohanan opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Andre Green struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time, giving Ashley Westwood’s side a winning start after a contest in which Inter Kashi made them work for the points.For the Blasters, the result offers an early lift after a difficult period and a late build-up to the new season. UAE-based Al Fursan Sports Investment Group has taken over the club, bringing fresh expectations to a side whose supporters have waited years for an ISL title. The squad has been revamped, but the opening match showed that there is still work to do before Kerala can turn that promise into a sustained challenge.Inter Kashi, meanwhile, began their campaign after a troubled build-up. The club spent much of the pre-season dealing with financial uncertainty, FIFA transfer bans and the search for a suitable home venue. They eventually registered 22 players, all Indian, after the transfer restrictions were briefly lifted, only to face another ban before the season began. Their defeat was not without encouraging moments, but the late goal left them with little reward for the fight they showed.VIBIN MAKES HIS MARKMohanan gave Kerala the lead in the 18th minute, finishing right-footed from the centre of the box after Korou Singh picked him out. The goal rewarded the Blasters’ positive start and gave them an advantage they would hold for most of the match, even as Inter Kashi continued to threaten. The 23-year-old midfielder has come through Kerala Blasters’ youth set-up and established himself as one of the club’s promising homegrown players. Born in Thrissur, he joined the academy in 2020 and made his senior-team debut in the 2022-23 season. He has represented India at youth level, including the SAFF Under-20 Championship and the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, and earned a senior national-team call-up in 2024. He also trained with Greek club OFI Crete in 2023, gaining experience outside Indian football.Mohanan’s opener mattered because Kerala never quite managed to put the match beyond reach until the final minutes. Freddy Lallawmawma had fired over from distance in the fifth minute, while Inter Kashi responded through Rosenberg Gabriel, whose effort from the left side of the box was saved by goalkeeper Arsh Shaikh. Manvir Singh also sent an attempt over the bar. Inter Kashi kept looking for an equaliser after falling behind. Manvir forced another save from Shaikh in the 35th minute, while Kerala created chances of their own through Lallawmawma and Korou. Albino Gomes saved Lallawmawma’s effort before Korou was denied in first-half stoppage time. Kerala went into the break ahead, but the contest was still open.INTER KASHI FIGHT THROUGH THE CHAOSInter Kashi’s problems began well before their first match. Their principal investor had decided not to continue after last season, leaving the club searching for fresh investment. According to KhelNow’s reporting before the opener, the team had not begun pre-season as preparations were already running late. The club also had to put together much of its squad in a short window once the transfer bans were lifted.FIFA had imposed four separate registration bans over outstanding dues to former players. Inter Kashi cleared those payments and the restrictions were lifted in early October, allowing them to register 22 players, including 16 new signings. But another ban followed over an outstanding payment to former player Lluis Tarres Campos. The club had completed its squad registration before that latest restriction took effect, although two additional players were left unregistered. The result was an all-Indian squad for the start of the season.Their home arrangements added another complication. Inter Kashi had explored playing in Ranchi before settling on the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. For a club based in Varanasi, that means beginning the campaign away from its home city, without the familiarity and local support that can make a difference over a long season.On the pitch, however, Inter Kashi were not short of opportunities. Manvir’s header in the 61st minute was saved by Shaikh, while Ayush Chhikara fired narrowly wide in the 72nd. Kerala had chances to extend their lead, too, with substitute Momo Yansane sending an effort wide and Green coming close in the 65th minute. But with the score still 1-0, Inter Kashi remained within reach of a point.Their late push never produced an equaliser. Sumit Sharma headed over from a corner in the 80th minute, and Kerala’s defence held firm as the visitors searched for a breakthrough. The Blasters had to remain alert until Green finally settled the contest in stoppage time.Mohammed Sanan supplied the pass in the fourth minute of added time, and Green finished left-footed into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0. The late strike gave Kerala a more comfortable scoreline, although the match had demanded patience until the end.For Kerala, the real test begins now. New ownership can bring fresh ambition, but the Blasters will be judged by what they do on the pitch over the months ahead. Inter Kashi, meanwhile, have already had to fight battles before their season could properly begin. They showed enough in Pune to suggest they will not be easy to brush aside, but with so much to settle off the field, turning promise into points will be their biggest challenge.Kerala will now travel to Guwahati to face NorthEast United on October 18, with the chance to build on their winning start. Inter Kashi return to Pune for their next fixture against Odisha FC on October 17, hoping to turn the encouraging spells they showed against the Blasters into a first result.- Ends