ISL 2025-26: Antonio Lopez Habas delighted after win over Kerala Blasters

Inter Kashi’s 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters is their first victory in ISL history

On a beautiful evening in Kochi, the home of Kerala Blasters FC, Antonio Lopez Habas and Inter Kashi FC made it all about themselves, defeating David Catala’s side 2-1 to record their maiden ISL victory.

Inter Kashi are now on a three-match unbeaten run in the 2025/26 Indian Super League, whereas Kerala Blasters are on a three-game losing slump.

David Catala changed things at the back and opted for a three-man defense to cope with the opposition attack. However, things didn’t go as expected as Inter Kashi was the better team throughout the first half and had a couple of great opportunities.

Habas’s side took the lead around the half hour mark thanks to a brilliant strike from a tight angle from Nauris Petkevičius. Kashi had a 1-0 lead over the hosts going into halftime thanks to this goal.

Catala went to a back four in the second half, and things began to click for the Kerala Blasters. Throughout the second half, the Blasters had the greater attacking performance. However, against the flow of play, Alfred Planas extended the away side’s advantage.

Despite the two-goal disadvantage, the Kerala Blasters created several chances but missed them. Bertomeu got one back late in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to save a point.

With two draws in their past two games, Inter Kashi pushed on and gained all three points against the Blasters, marking a landmark victory in the club’s brief existence. A delighted Antonio Lopez Habas discussed the victory, season’s objectives, and his record in Kochi.

Antonio Lopez Habas hits back at Catala

Ahead of the game, Kerala Blasters FC head coach David Catala stated that Inter Kashi is a better team with a larger budget than the Blasters. However, the statements did not sit well with Habas, who claimed that the budget is irrelevant and that the most important thing is to play and win games.

“I don’t want to talk more about the budget. We are a team with a low budget. We have to try with the big group, fantastic professionals, and maybe one day it is possible to lose the mask. But until now it has been very difficult beating us. Because the players are convinced with the same idea at the same time. It is very difficult when the team is like this.”

“Because we had two draws, we needed one step more. This is the moment. Today in the meeting, in the match plan, we talked with the players about the possibility to step one pass more. One pass more today to win the match. 10 points for my players”, insisted Habas.

Also Read: ISL 2025-26: Inter Kashi ease past Kerala Blasters FC to secure historic debut ISL victory

Antonio Lopez Habas on his impressive record at Kochi

“For me, this is a fantastic stadium. Fantastic supporters. All the time I come here, I never have a problem. Never, I have a problem. I win; we go back. With ATK, Mohun Bagan, blah, blah, blah. And now with Inter Kashi. This is a big, very good stadium.”, said an ecstatic Habas.

Antonio Lopez Habas on ambitions for the season

“Our idea is not top 5, top 6. Our idea is growing with the team every day. We have to get Inter Kashi to the best position possible. We have to have one idea for the type of play, one model of play. We have to continue training. We have to work on the idea of the team”, stated Habas.

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