East Bengal FC vs Inter Kashi: Torchbearers Cruise to 5-1 Win in Pune
Image: MG ISL
Pune, October 23: East Bengal FC continued their strong start to the MG Indian Super League 2026-27 with a dominant 5-1 victory over Inter Kashi at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. Aké Loba scored twice, while Dani Ramírez, PV Vishnu and Lukasz Zwolinski also found the net in a one-sided contest.
The defending champions took control early and opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Ramírez. Receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, the midfielder lifted his effort over Albino Gomes to give East Bengal the lead. The visitors doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Vishnu finished a quick counterattack with a left-footed strike into the bottom-left corner after being set up by Loba.
East Bengal made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute after Ramírez was brought down inside the box by Wayne Vaz. Loba stepped up and converted the resulting penalty with a right-footed effort into the top-right corner to open his scoring tally for the season. Inter Kashi were handed a way back into the contest in the 28th minute when Lalchungnunga turned the ball into his own net, but the response from the hosts was short-lived.
The Torchbearers continued to attack with confidence and restored their three-goal cushion before half-time. Loba scored his second of the evening to complete his brace and send East Bengal into the break with a commanding 4-1 lead.
With the match firmly under control, head coach Antonio Habas made changes at the start of the second half. Rashid, Loba and Vipin Singh were withdrawn as East Bengal looked to manage the game, avoid unnecessary risks and give younger players more minutes. The defending champions adopted a more measured approach after the restart, keeping possession and limiting Inter Kashi’s opportunities to build any sustained pressure.
Inter Kashi tried to push forward in search of a way back into the contest, but East Bengal remained organised and comfortable. The visitors eventually added a fifth goal in the 81st minute when substitute Lukasz Zwolinski scored his first MG ISL goal for the club, finishing with his left foot from close range after being set up by Christopher Ikonomidis.
The result underlined East Bengal’s early-season form, with the defending champions combining attacking quality with control across the match. Inter Kashi, meanwhile, were left with few answers after falling behind early and struggling to contain East Bengal’s movement in the final third.
