ISL 2025-26: Habas calls for patience ahead of Kerala Blasters clash

Inter Kashi are yet to register a win in the 2025/26 ISL season.

When teams go from the second division to the first division, they frequently struggle to keep up with the league’s pace and quality, as seen by Mohammedan SC’s troubles last season. But with an ISL seasoned head coach like Antonio Lopez Habas in command, the challenges of Inter Kashi transitioning to the higher level appear to be less of a worry.

Inter Kashi is enjoying life in the highest division of Indian football as they remain unbeaten after two games in the 2025/26 ISL season. They began the season with a 1-1 draw against Super Cup champions FC Goa, followed by a 0-0 tie with Odisha FC. Up next, they will be up against a Kerala Blasters team who are low in confidence and are yet to register a single point this season.

Inter Kashi FC head coach Antonio Lopez Habas and center-back Narender Gahlot addressed the media before of their journey to Kerala, and here is what they said.

Habas insists performances will improve as the season progresses

While Inter Kashi is without a loss after two games, they have drawn both of their games and are yet record a victory this season, which is not something a coach like Habas would accept given his mindset. The Spanish coach, however, maintains that both games have been constructive and will provide a solid foundation for the team to continue winning games in the future.

“I want to correct the point that we played bad. This is an important point (against Odisha FC) for us because I think that we are a team in construction, a team building and we need more time for developing our play. Obviously, we have to have play every match in the best condition because anything is possible if you give 100% and play good matches every day.”

“Inter Kashi is new team in the ISL, only two matches in the category, it is very difficult for us, but I think we have to get the regularity necessary for competing with every team in the ISL. We have to continue with the same reference that the first match against Goa. This has to be our reference and after that grow every match, this has to be our reference.”, insisted Habas.

Narendar Gahlot on mood in the dressing room after Odisha draw

Nearly all Inter Kashi supporters would have predicted that their team will win its game against an Odisha FC squad that had only five days of training. Habas’ team, however, was unable to score the game-winning goal and had to settle for a draw. Gahlot talked about the atmosphere in the locker room after the Odisha outcome and the need to stick to the plans of head coach Habas as the season progresses.

“Obviously, it’s not the best thing and we want to win the game. Not only Odisha, the FC Goa also. The things were not in our favor, and we didn’t win the game. And against Odisha also, I think we started very well and after that I think we are not on our 100%. We have to give, not physically but as a team we have to give better than this and we need to win the game.”

“The important thing is we have to stick to the plan. Like how we play against FC Goa, as a team, from keeper to the striker, we played really well. And we are compact shape and we are attacking as a team and defending like a team. The season is small and we have to stick to the plan. It’s only 13 games and we have to focus on the remainder of the season”, added Gahlot.

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