In a rain-soaked battle at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Inter Kashi the newly promoted ISL side and reigning I-League champions stunned many by holding Durand Cup winners NorthEast United FC to a pulsating 2–2 draw in their AIFF Super Cup 2025–26 Group B opener.
It was a match that had everything: early goals, defensive errors, tactical swings, and a heroic comeback from an Inter Kashi side that featured no foreign players and had been assembled barely days before kickoff. The downpour set the stage for a scrappy yet intense contest. NorthEast United, brimming with confidence after their Durand Cup triumph, began on the back foot. In just the fifth minute, Harmanpreet Singh capitalized on a defensive lapse to put Inter Kashi ahead with a calm left-footed finish past Gurmeet Singh.
The goal sparked NorthEast into action. With Alaeddine Ajaraie leading the line and orchestrating attacks, the Highlanders began to find rhythm. Their persistence paid off in the 18th minute when Ajaraie, showing his class once again, latched on to a deft chest pass from Tondonba Singh and drilled home the equalizer.
From that point, NorthEast dominated possession and territory, pressing high and creating chaos in Kashi’s box through set-pieces and wide play.
Captain’s Header Puts NEUFC in Front
As the rain intensified, so did the Highlanders’ pressure. The breakthrough came in the 40th minute through their skipper Zabaco Tome, who rose highest to head home from Andy’s corner, sending the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Shubham Dhas. It was a captain’s goal powerful, decisive, and seemingly enough to put the ISL side in control. NorthEast United entered the half-time break leading 2–1, having turned the game around after a shaky start.
Yet, for all their possession and flair, the Highlanders couldn’t shake off the resilience of Inter Kashi a team that had built its reputation in the I-League on organization and spirit rather than star power.
The second half began much like the first ended NorthEast pushing forward, Inter Kashi absorbing and countering when possible. The Highlanders pressed high, forcing mistakes in the Kashi backline, and came close to extending their lead on multiple occasions. But the I-League champions never folded. Midfielder Karthik Panicker, one of Kashi’s standout performers last season, produced the moment of the match in the 74th minute. Sliding in to connect with a low cross, he beat Gurmeet at the near post to level the score 2–2, sending the Kashi bench into wild celebration.
It was a goal that symbolized everything Inter Kashi stood for tenacity, teamwork, and sheer belief. Despite lacking foreign reinforcements and having a goalkeeping coach temporarily in charge, they refused to let NorthEast dictate the narrative.
As the clock ticked into injury time eight minutes of it NorthEast United threw everything forward. Substitute forwards and wing-backs combined in search of a late winner, but Inter Kashi’s backline, marshaled bravely by Wayne Vaz and Pawan Kumar, stood firm. Referee Harish Kundu’s final whistle confirmed a result that will surely be remembered as one of the standout stories of the early Super Cup campaign.
For NorthEast United, it felt like two points dropped. For Inter Kashi, it was nothing short of a statement.
A Result That Shakes Up Group B
Group B, which also includes FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC, now looks delicately poised. With this result, both teams sit level on one point, but it’s Inter Kashi who will feel they’ve struck the psychological blow. NorthEast United, despite their superior squad depth and foreign experience, struggled to maintain control for long spells. Their defence, often vulnerable to quick counters, will need tightening ahead of their next fixture.
On the other hand, Inter Kashi have shown that heart and cohesion can go toe-to-toe with experience. Their social media post after the match summed it up perfectly:
“Some teams pulled out saying missing foreigners, incomplete squad. But here we are no foreign players, goalkeeping coach as head coach, team assembled days before the match… and still, we held NorthEast United 2-2! That’s why we’re Inter Kashi the true champions.”
This fixture marked the beginning of a new era for Inter Kashi their first match as an ISL club after two seasons of grinding in the I-League. From assembling an all-Indian roster to standing tall against established ISL opposition, the club’s ethos of fighting spirit and local pride continues to shine.
As the Super Cup progresses, both sides will look ahead NorthEast United eager to bounce back and reassert their dominance, and Inter Kashi determined to build on this momentum.
Final Score: NorthEast United 2–2 Inter Kashi
Goals: NEUFC – Alaeddine Ajaraie (18’), Zabaco Tome (40’) IKFC – Harmanpreet Singh (5’), Karthik Panicker (74’)
A thrilling draw that not only lights up Group B but also serves as a reminder Indian football’s new wave of clubs like Inter Kashi are here to compete, not just participate.
