ISL 2025-26: Habas respects Mumbai City ahead of Inter Kashi's first home clash

Habas has lost two finals against Mumbai City FC in his time at ISL.

Inter Kashi FC are getting ready to play its first home game of the 2025/26 ISL season against Mumbai City FC. Antonio Lopez Habas’ team is coming off a 1-0 loss to 10-man Jamshedpur FC in their last encounter.

They started the season strongly, drawing against FC Goa and Odisha FC. They won their first ISL match against Kerala Blasters FC, 2-1, at Kochi. Habas will be seeking to get back on track with a victory over Petr Kratky’s side after losing their previous encounter.

Before the game, head coach Antonio Lopez Habas and striker Nauris Petkevicius spoke with the media and answered questions about the home stadium and the opposition.

Habas and Petkevicius on playing home games in Kolkata

Despite being a club from Uttar Pradesh, Inter Kashi will not play their home games in their home state. Instead, they’ll play their home games at Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata. They had planned to play their home games at Fatorda Stadium in Goa; however, the stadium officials eventually disallowed them.

Speaking about the situation of their home games, Habas emphasised that they would play the same way no matter what their home stadium is.

“We are a team that will not be playing our home matches in our city because our home will be Varanasi in the future, but we are prepared to compete wherever it is necessary. I don’t want any excuses. This is what we have now, and we must be proud of it”, added Habas.

“It’s a little bit strange because normally we are not a team from Kolkata, but I hope some fans will come to support us in this game”, insisted Petkevicius.

Habas and Petkevicius on facing Mumbai City FC:

Habas has managed the joint-most games against Mumbai City FC during his management career. And Mumbai City is the club against which he has lost the most. He lost to the Islanders in two finals: the 2020-21 ISL season finale against Sergio Lobera and the 2023-24 season finale against Petr Kratky.

Habas talked highly of the opponent and predicted a tough battle against Petr Kratky’s squad.

“In my opinion, Mumbai is one of the classic clubs of the ISL, a big club, a very big club. I have won and lost important matches in my career, but they have very important players and a reliable coach. I am sure it will be a very competitive match”, stated Habas.

“As the coach said, Mumbai is a good team, so I think it’s going to be a good match because we are going to fight till the last whistle. We have good dressing room, qualities here. We know how to play football. Everybody has good quality of football, has good IQ. So, if we are going to play hard, it will be very difficult”, commented Petkevicius.

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