Odisha FC will start the campaign at home against Inter Kashi after postponement of their opening match

Odisha FC will host newly promoted Inter Kashi FC in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 to be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Odisha will play the first match of the season at home after the opening match against Punjab FC on February 16 was postponed. Meanwhile, Inter Kashi showed resilience by securing a 1-1 draw against AIFF Super Cup champions FC Goa on their competitive debut last week.

Ahead of the match, Odisha FC head coach TG Purushottaman said, «We are not focused on results. We are focusing on performance; results will come automatically. We will stick to our strengths and try to exploit their weaknesses. We will face the challenges come what may.»

Speaking about the team’s objectives this season, Odisha captain Carlos Delgado said: «The most important thing is to stay together, be compact and ambitious and enjoy the training. We don’t have much time, so we have to quickly become a strong and united team. We will fight and give everything to win.»

ALSO READ: Indian football has talent but needs to look to Europe to get the system right: David Catala

Both teams have met once in the 2024 AIFF Super Cup where Odisha triumphed 3-0 with Lalthhanga, Diego Maurício and Puitea scoring the goals cxv4.

Discussing the match, Inter Kashi head coach Antonio López Habas said: «The fundamental plan for us is to build the team in this category and grow every day. The goal is always the next match, now it’s Odisha. We are not the favorites to win the league, but we want to be competitive all season. My playing model depends on the players I have. A coach cannot say: ‘This is my system and it will never change’. No! You have to adapt to the qualities and circumstances of your players. That is my philosophy.”

Inter Kashi striker Alfred Planas said: «We have to do well from the first moment because the competition is very short. But there is no pressure. This is Inter Kashi’s first time in the ISL, and if we follow the coach’s ideas and execute our plans well, we will be competitive in every match. We just have to focus on the things that depend on us.»

Odisha will look to start their season strong at home while Inter Kashi will look to build on their positive start to the season.

Published on February 23, 2026