FC Goa edge Inter Kashi 2-1 at Balewadi in 2026-27 ISL clash

FC Goa beat Inter Kashi 2-1 at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune in the 2026-27 ISL season, with Franchu and Spanish striker Chiki on target for the Gaurs and Sumeet Passi scoring for the hosts.

Inter Kashi were preparing for their fourth straight home fixture while FC Goa arrived winless in their opening two league matches despite not having lost either game. Gouramangi Singh made two changes to his starting XI from the 1-1 draw with SC Delhi, bringing Akash Singh and Isak Vanlalruatfela in for Nemil and Malsawmsanga and moving Udanta Singh from right-back to the right wing. Carlos Vaz Pinto, the hosts’ head coach, also altered his lineup, replacing Sajad Parray with Aritra Das at left-back and introducing Thoi Singh for Hitesh Sharma in attack.

Goa controlled the early phases and Isak’s runs down the left culminated in a 35th-minute assist to Franchu, who finished from near the edge of the box to put the visitors ahead at half-time. Inter Kashi responded after the break when Sumeet Passi got ahead of Sitroy to convert Rosenberg Gabriel’s cross from close range. Chiki then restored Goa’s lead, scoring the decisive goal that handed the Gaurs the three points in Pune.

The match underlined defensive issues for FC Goa, particularly dealing with wide crosses and an unsettled pressing structure, even though the goals came from foreign attackers. The article noted encouraging attacking contributions from Indian wingers Isak and Nemil, but also flagged persistent right-back instability: Akash started at right-back, Udanta shifted from right-wing back to right-back around the 30th minute, and Sitroy was introduced at half-time. That sequence was described as contributing to the goal conceded, with Udanta, described as playing at left-back, unable to stop the cross while Sitroy was poorly positioned at right-back, and the piece suggested locking Udanta in as first-choice right-back or starting Ronney with Saveme Tariang at left-back.

Inter Kashi’s game plan was characterised as largely consistent across the season aside from a heavy defeat to East Bengal, with the side appearing defensively solid and comfortable in possession for long stretches but lacking cutting quality in key moments. The report stated the team, without foreign players, has been forced into extended defensive periods and has tended to lose concentration at critical times, which opponents have exploited. Carlos Vaz Pinto was credited with maximising limited resources, with the article noting Inter Kashi’s competitive displays earlier in the campaign including an opening-day loss to Kerala Blasters FC and a draw with Odisha FC.

Midfield contributors were singled out for FC Goa: Prachit was described as impressive before his injury, Tomba as having stepped up recently, and Vallejo as consistent in controlling tempo and distribution. The three were reported to have recorded passing accuracy of around 90%, with Tomba completing 66 of 71 attempted passes. Franchu created five key chances, while Tomba and Vallejo combined for 17 recoveries in midfield and were said to have won most of their duels.

Sumeet Passi scored Inter Kashi’s lone goal, and Chiki provided the match-winner for FC Goa; the victory delivered the three points Goa needed to get their campaign going and begin moving up the ISL table.