Inter Kashi and Odisha FC Chase First Points as ISL Campaigns Face Early Test

Carlos Vaz Pinto’s Inter Kashi FC and TG Purushothaman’s Odisha FC head into Saturday’s encounter looking for more than just their first points of the season, with both coaches seeking sharper execution after late setbacks in their opening fixtures.

Two teams searching for an early reset will meet at Pune’s Balewadi Stadium on October 17 as Inter Kashi and Odisha FC attempt to put their opening defeats behind them in the MG Indian Super League 2026-27.

Inter Kashi lost 2-0 to Kerala Blasters FC, while Odisha FC suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Punjab FC. Although neither side collected points in the opening round, their performances offered reasons for optimism alongside clear areas requiring improvement.

For both teams, Saturday’s contest presents an opportunity to turn those lessons into a more convincing result.

Inter Kashi’s opening match against Kerala Blasters was a reminder that promising attacking play counts for little without a decisive finish. Rosenberg Gabriel and Manvir Singh showed encouraging signs in the attacking third, but their side could not translate those moments into goals.

Vibin Mohanan put Kerala Blasters ahead in the 18th minute before Andre Green struck in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 victory for the visitors.

The result left Carlos Vaz Pinto’s side with work to do, particularly in making their attacking possession and forward movements count. The coach, however, believes his team is prepared to compete against Odisha despite the limited time the squad has spent together.

“We are ready to compete and we are targeting three points,” Vaz Pinto said. The Portuguese coach also acknowledged the quality within Odisha’s squad, indicating that Inter Kashi will need to be organised and effective across both phases of play. He believes his players have made progress in understanding his tactical ideas, both offensively and defensively.

The immediate challenge is to demonstrate that progress on the pitch. Inter Kashi will need to be more clinical in the final third while avoiding the late concessions that can turn a competitive performance into a disappointing result.

Hitesh Sharma Adjusts to a New Role

One of the interesting developments in Inter Kashi’s early-season campaign is the adjustment being made by midfielder Hitesh Sharma. Having previously represented Odisha FC, Sharma now faces his former club in a different role. He spoke about adapting to a progressive ‘9.5’ position, which he is experiencing for the first time.

“This 9.5 position… I have had it for the first time, but I think I am learning and quite enjoying it,” Sharma said. His comments offer a glimpse into the tactical adjustments taking place within the Inter Kashi squad. A player settling into a new position can provide additional options in attack, but the role also requires familiarity with teammates and a clear understanding of responsibilities.

Against Odisha, Sharma will have an opportunity to continue adapting while helping Inter Kashi improve their attacking output. His previous association with the opposition adds another dimension to the fixture.

Odisha FC’s opening defeat against Punjab FC followed a different pattern, but the outcome was equally frustrating. The Juggernauts conceded inside the first minute, putting themselves under immediate pressure. They responded positively, however, with Thoiba Moirangthem heading home from a corner in the 15th minute to bring Odisha level at 1-1.

The team remained in contention for much of the match before Raphaël Messi Bouli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Punjab a 2-1 victory. For TG Purushothaman, the priority will be to eliminate costly lapses while building greater consistency across the 90 minutes. Odisha demonstrated their ability to recover from an early setback, but the late goal highlighted the fine margins separating a point from a defeat.

Purushothaman has also made his ambitions for the season clear. “We have to fight for the top spot and not like last year,” the coach said. The statement sets an ambitious target for a side that is still finding its rhythm. Purushothaman acknowledged that his new-look squad would require time to develop chemistry, estimating that it could take two to three matches for the players to fully gel.

Saturday’s fixture therefore represents both an immediate points opportunity and another step in that process.

A Meeting of Two Teams Seeking Momentum

Inter Kashi and Odisha arrive at the contest with different tactical questions to answer. Vaz Pinto’s side must turn its attacking promise into goals, while Purushothaman will want Odisha to avoid another slow start and maintain concentration until the final whistle.

Neither team can afford to treat the fixture as a routine early-season encounter. With both having started the campaign with defeats, a positive result would provide a valuable foundation for the matches ahead. Inter Kashi will look to make their attacking movements more productive, while Odisha will seek to combine the resilience shown in their comeback against Punjab with greater defensive stability.

The outcome could depend on which side responds more effectively to the problems exposed in its opening match. For now, both coaches have identified the areas requiring improvement, and Saturday will offer the first opportunity to demonstrate that the lessons have been absorbed.

Inter Kashi FC take on Odisha FC at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Saturday, October 17, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 PM IST. Both sides will be targeting their first points of the MG ISL 2026-27 season.