In a thrilling encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Inter Kashi stunned Bengaluru FC by defeating them in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the Super Cup. After being held 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Inter Kashi held their nerves better during the shootout and emerged 5-3 winners, sending the Blues crashing out of the tournament.
Balanced Battle Ends Level in Regulation Time
The match began with high intensity as both teams were determined to progress to the knockout stages. Bengaluru FC, boasting the experience of stars like Sunil Chhetri and Ryan Williams, tried to stamp their authority from the start. Inter Kashi, on the other hand, showed resilience and confidence, matching their more illustrious opponents in every department.
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Australian forward Ryan Williams put Bengaluru FC ahead. A swift attacking move down the right flank saw Williams finding space inside the box, and he coolly slotted the ball past the Inter Kashi goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Despite the setback, Inter Kashi did not lose composure. They kept probing Bengaluru’s defense and finally got their reward in the dying moments of the match. In the 87th minute, Matija Babovic scored the all-important equaliser for Inter Kashi. A well-placed cross from the left found Babovic, who made no mistake in guiding the ball into the net to bring the game level at 1-1.
Penalty Shoot-Out Drama Unfolds
With the scores level at full-time and no extra time scheduled in the group stages of the tournament, the match moved straight into penalties. The shootout turned out to be a test of nerves and composure under pressure.
Inter Kashi stepped up with confidence and converted all five of their spot-kicks. David Humanes Munoz started the proceedings, followed by Bijoy V, Nikola Stojanovic, Aritra Das, and Matija Babovic—all finding the back of the net with precision.
For Bengaluru FC, Ryan Williams, Sunil Chhetri, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz managed to convert their penalties, but a crucial miss proved costly. Inter Kashi’s goalkeeper rose to the occasion, making a vital save to tip the balance in their favor.
Key Performers: Babovic and Williams Shine
Matija Babovic was undoubtedly one of the standout performers for Inter Kashi. Not only did he score the crucial equaliser in regular time, but he also confidently netted his penalty in the shootout, capping off a solid all-round display.
Ryan Williams, who had given Bengaluru FC the lead, also had a strong showing. His attacking runs and creativity troubled the Inter Kashi backline for most of the match. However, despite his efforts, Bengaluru couldn’t hold onto the lead, and their campaign ended in disappointment.
Inter Kashi’s Growing Reputation
This victory marks a significant moment in Inter Kashi’s journey in Indian football. As a relatively new team, beating a seasoned side like Bengaluru FC—former Indian Super League champions—is a huge statement. Their composed and disciplined performance throughout the match and the shootout reflects a team that is growing in confidence and stature.
Head coach Carlos Santamarina lauded his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “We never gave up. Even when we went behind, the players believed we could come back. This is a special win for us, and we’ll take this momentum into the quarterfinals.”