Kolkata Conquest highlights Ashique and Sanchez’s stellar performances as the Blues triumph over Inter Kashi. Discover the match’s key moments and stats.
Introduction:
The Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata is often a theater of footballing drama, but on this particular Sunday evening, it served as the stage for a Braian Sanchez masterclass. In a high-octane encounter in the 2025/26 Indian Super League (ISL) season—the topflight of Indian football—Bengaluru FC secured a comprehensive 3-1 away victory against newly-promoted Inter Kashi FC.
While Inter Kashi fought valiantly and found a glimmer of hope through an Alfred Planas equalizer in the first half, the tactical depth and clinical finishing of the “Blues” proved insurmountable. The night belonged to Sánchez, whose second-half brace dismantled the Kashi defense, but the victory was also a testament to the enduring influence of Ashique Kuruniyan and the milestone-setting presence of Rahul Bheke.
A Tale of Early Intensity and Ashique’s Brilliance
From the kickoff, it was evident that Renedy Singh’s Inter Kashi intended to take the fight to the established giants. Playing in front of a passionate Kolkata crowd, the “home” side (Inter Kashi is based in Varanasi but plays select high-profile games in Kolkata) looked to dominate possession early. However, Bengaluru FC, led by the tactical experience of Gerard Zaragoza, remained compact and waited for the perfect moment to pounce.
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That moment arrived in the 20th minute. Ashique Kuruniyan, who has been in scintillating form this season, showcased why he remains one of India’s most dangerous wingers. Capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse from Inter Kashi captain Sumeet Passi, Ashique dispossessed the veteran defender near the halfway line. With a burst of pace that left the Kashi backline trailing, he drove into the final third and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike that rifled into the roof of the net. It was a goal of pure individual quality, silencing the local supporters and giving the visitors a well-deserved lead.
Inter Kashi’s Resilience: Alfred Planas Strikes Back
To their credit, Inter Kashi did not let the early setback dampen their spirits. They continued to move the ball with purpose, utilizing the vision of Sergio Llamas in the midfield to bypass the Bengaluru press. Their persistence was rewarded in the 38th minute through a moment of clinical opportunism.
A slip from Bengaluru’s Nikhil Poojary allowed a threaded through-ball to reach Alfred Planas Moya. The Spanish winger found himself one-on-one with the legendary Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Despite Gurpreet’s best efforts to narrow the angle and get a hand to the ball, Alfred’s low, driven shot found the back of the net. The equalizer breathed new life into the match, and as the teams headed into the halftime break, the score stood at 1-1, with everything still to play for.
The Sanchez Show: Reclaiming the Lead
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Bengaluru FC emerged with a renewed sense of urgency. Gerard Zaragoza made a decisive tactical change at the break, bringing on Suresh Singh Wangjam to replace the cautioned Lalremtluanga Fanai. The move solidified the Blues’ midfield, allowing Braian Sánchez more freedom to roam in between the lines.
The pressure finally told in the 69th minute. After Ashique was fouled on the left flank, a pinpoint set-piece delivery from Sirojiddin Kuziev caused chaos in the Inter Kashi box. Kashi’s goalkeeper, Lluis Tarrés, who had been solid throughout the match, failed to decisively claim the high ball. Braian Sánchez was the quickest to react, ghosting past his marker to head the ball into the empty net.
The goal was a hammer blow to Inter Kashi’s momentum. While they pushed forward in search of another equalizer, with Prasanth Mohan coming close with a header in the 65th minute, the Bengaluru defense—led by Rahul Bheke in his historic 100th appearance for the club—remained resolute. Bheke’s milestone was celebrated by the traveling fans, a fitting tribute to a player who has become synonymous with the club’s defensive identity.
Stoppage Time Drama: Sanchez Seals the Three Points
As the match ticked into the final minutes, Inter Kashi committed more bodies forward, leaving themselves vulnerable to the counterattack. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the referee signaled a significant amount of stoppage time.
In the 90+8th minute, with Inter Kashi throwing everyone except the goalkeeper into the box for a final corner, a miscommunication between Tarrés and his defenders led to a fatal error. The goalkeeper played a short pass directly into the path of an alert Sánchez. Sensing the keeper was off his line, Sánchez produced a moment of pure audacity, chipping the ball over the stranded Tarrés from distance. The ball bounced into the net to make it 3-1, effectively ending the contest and securing a brace for the Argentine midfielder.
Sanchez was rightly adjudged the “Player of the Match” for his match-winning performance. His ability to capitalize on errors, combined with his tactical positioning, was the difference between a frustrating draw and a dominant victory.
A Vital Result in the Race for the Top Four
The win propels Bengaluru FC to fourth position in the ISL standings, with 11 points from six matches. They now sit just three points behind the current league leaders, Mumbai City FC. For Zaragoza, the performance will be particularly pleasing as it showed a team capable of winning ugly when required and punishing opponents with ruthless efficiency.
For Inter Kashi, the defeat leaves them in 11th place with five points. While their attacking play showed promise, particularly through Alfred and Sergio Llamas, their defensive frailties against high-caliber opposition remain a concern. Renedy Singh will need to address these issues quickly as the league enters a crucial phase of the season.
As the fans filed out of the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, the talk was dominated by Sánchez’s brilliance and Bheke’s milestone. Bengaluru FC continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2025/26 season, and on this evidence, they are firmly in the hunt for the title.
