Buoyant FC Bengaluru take on Real Kashmir FC at home in the Indian Football League

FC Bengaluru United host Real Kashmir FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2026–27 on Saturday. Later in the evening, Nagaland United SC play their first home match in the league when they welcome leaders Gokulam Kerala FC to the Chümoukedima Football Stadium in Dimapur.

Nagaland United SC set for historic home debut against Gokulam Kerala FC

FC Bengaluru United return to the Bangalore Football Stadium sixth in the table with three points from two matches. After defeat in their opening fixture, they marked their first home game in the Indian Football League with a 4-3 win over Mohammedan SC last Friday. Headers from Marat Tareck and Gautam A put them two goals up inside 20 minutes, and after Mohammedan drew level at 3-3, substitute Akshunna Tyagi headed the winner in the 91st minute. A second home win on Saturday could lift Head Coach Nallappan Mohanraj’s side into the top four.

FC Bengaluru players at a training session

Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Nallappan Mohanraj said: “After losing our first game, the next match was very crucial, so bouncing back to get three points on our home turf was very important and gives us the confidence to go deep in this competition.

“The 4-3 result was great for the fans, but as a coach, I do not like to concede too many goals. We have understood our defensive lapses, worked on them in training, and we are prepared to flex ourselves to the maximum to get points against an experienced team like Kashmir,” he said.

Russian striker Marat Tareck, one of the scorers against Mohammedan, said the mood in the camp had stayed high since that win. “Everyone was really happy after the first win, and because we have a really good coaching staff who take care of the atmosphere, we could just enjoy the moment,” said Tareck. “In all the training and video sessions since, we have enjoyed the win, and we are looking forward to getting more points.”

Real Kashmir FC, captained by Marcus Joseph, travel south eighth in the table with one point from two matches. The Snow Leopards drew 1-1 with Sreenidi Deccan FC at home last Saturday. Lesotho forward Thabiso Nelson Brown, named Man of the Match, put them ahead in the 19th minute. He reacted first after Sreenidi goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh saved Joseph’s header from Lalawmpuia Sailo’s cross. Colombian forward David Castañeda Muñoz equalised in the 52nd minute, and Brown came close to a winner ten minutes from time, but Kamaljit turned his effort away.

Looking ahead to the trip, head coach Ishfaq Ahmad said: “Away matches are always difficult, and you only get two days to adapt before you have to perform. The Bangalore Football Association ground is a challenge in itself, especially playing on that turf.

Real Kashmir FC players at a training session

“We know FC Bengaluru United will have good confidence after their 4-3 win against Mohammedan SC, but we are here to compete. From our first to our second match, we have grown, and hopefully we will perform the same way we did against Sreenidi and play disciplined football to get a positive result,” he added.

Mousa Qureshi said the squad had settled quickly in Bengaluru. “The boys have been gelling well together since the first day of the season, everyone is quite motivated, and we have adjusted well to the Bengaluru weather,” said Qureshi. “It is a long season ahead, and we are improving each day and backing each other up. We know our ability and what we can do in this league, and hopefully the next match brings our first win.”

Saturday’s match will be the first meeting between the two clubs in the Indian Football League.