ISL: Inter Kashi downs Blasters, notches up maiden win

Inter Kashi will not forget this day in a hurry. This was the day the men from the holy city scored their first-ever win in the ISL.

They beat Kerala Blasters 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday, in front of what must be one of the smallest crowds in recent times at this venue, where the stands are usually a sea of yellow. For the men in yellow out on the field, it was the third defeat in as many games, and thus are still without a point.

The Kashi men, on the other hand, are unbeaten after three matches. They surely aren’t finding the promotion to India’s premier football league too tough, so far.

Nauris Petkevicius and Alfred Planas had given them a 2-0 lead with just 12 minutes of normal time remaining. But Victor Bertomeu’s goal, off a fine free-kick from just outside the box by Y. Ebindas in the 84th, provided hope for the host. In fact, Blasters came up with several threatening moves in the second half.

Kashi’s second goal came against the run of play. Planas gave the finishing touch to the smart pass from Petkevicius, who was set-up rather well by K. Prasanth.

In the opening half, Petkevicius had broken the deadlock, driving firmly in the excellent through ball into the box by Planas. Blasters got enough opportunities to equalise before the interval, but was let down by poor finishing yet again.

That story would continue in the second half, too.

The result: Kerala Blasters 1 (Victor Bertomeu 84) lost to Inter Kashi 2 (Nauris Petkevicius 34, Alfred Planas 78).