Kerala Blasters FC opened their MG Indian Super League 2026-27 campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Inter Kashi at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Sunday. Vibin Mohanan gave the Blasters the lead in the 18th minute, while Andre Green scored in stoppage time to confirm all three points for the Kerala side.

Kerala Blasters Take Early Control

Kerala Blasters started the match aggressively and created an early opportunity in the fifth minute when Freddy Lallawmawma fired a long-range effort over the crossbar. Inter Kashi responded quickly. A minute later, Rosenberg Gabriel tested Kerala goalkeeper Arsh Shaikh with a shot from the left side of the penalty area. However, Shaikh made the save to deny the forward. Manvir Singh also looked to threaten the Blasters' defence but sent his effort over the crossbar. Kerala broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through Vibin Mohanan. Korou Singh supplied the assist, allowing Mohanan to score with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box and put the Blasters 1-0 ahead. Inter Kashi tried to restore parity and created another opportunity in the 35th minute. Manvir Singh forced Shaikh into a save, but the Kerala goalkeeper kept his team in front. The Blasters continued to look for a second goal before the break. Freddy Lallawmawma tested Inter Kashi goalkeeper Albino Gomes, while Korou Singh came close to scoring in first-half stoppage time. However, Gomes denied the Kerala side, ensuring Inter Kashi went into the interval trailing by just one goal.

Blasters Maintain Pressure After the Break

Kerala Blasters continued their search for another goal after the restart. Substitute Momo Yansane attempted to extend the lead shortly after entering the field, but his effort went wide. Paul Ramfangzauva and Freddy Lallawmawma also tried their luck from distance as Kerala maintained its attacking approach. Andre Green nearly doubled the advantage in the 65th minute, but his attempt narrowly missed the target. Inter Kashi remained determined to find an equaliser. In the 61st minute, Manvir Singh sent a header towards goal, but Shaikh made another important save. Ayush Chhikara came close in the 72nd minute, only to send his shot narrowly wide. As the match entered its closing stages, Kerala continued to threaten from set pieces. Sumit Sharma headed over the crossbar from a corner in the 80th minute, missing another opportunity to put the result beyond doubt. Inter Kashi pushed forward in the final minutes in search of an equaliser. However, Kerala's defence stayed organised and prevented the opposition from finding a way through.

Andre Green Seals Kerala's Victory

Kerala Blasters finally secured the result in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Mohammed Sanan set up Andre Green, who finished with his left foot from the centre of the penalty area, directing the ball into the bottom-right corner. Green's late strike made it 2-0 and confirmed a winning start for Kerala Blasters in the MG ISL 2026-27 season. Mohanan's first-half goal had given the team the advantage, while Green's stoppage-time finish ensured that Inter Kashi could not mount a late comeback. The victory earned Kerala Blasters all three points in their opening fixture and provided a positive start to their new ISL campaign.