‘If life gives you Lemons, make lemonade’ – the catchphrase may well sum it up for Inter Kashi as they embrace the Indian Super League challenge this season.

With an all Indian squad, playing far away from their original home base of Varanasi, Kashi’s struggle behind the scenes has been immense. Amid uncertainty over their ISL future, they finally conjured up a squad ahead of the start of the season. Players didn’t have any preseason, and results have been difficult.

Despite the uncertainties and shortcomings off the pitch, Inter Kashi have continued to stand together as a unit on it. And at the heart of that fight is head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto, the man entrusted with inspiring his squad, navigating the challenges surrounding the club and ensuring the team continues to compete against the odds.

Carlos Vaz Pinto embraces the challenge of competing in the ISL with an entirely Indian squad, insisting that the club’s approach offers an important opportunity for domestic footballers to establish themselves.

In an exclusive interview with MyKhel, the Portuguese tactician discusses his transition to Inter Kashi, the challenges of building a new squad, his ambitions for the team and his vision for Indian football and more. Having previously worked with Sreenidi Deccan in the I-League, the coach also explains why he considers his move to Inter Kashi.

A new home and a new challenge at Inter Kashi

Vaz Pinto describes his initial experience at Inter Kashi as a positive one, comparing the club environment to entering a new home where everyone works towards a common objective.

“First of all, I have to say that I feel like not like a home but a new home,” he says, appreciating the professionalism and support of the club’s staff.

The Portuguese coach also acknowledges the challenge of building a completely new squad, with only six or seven players from the previous season remaining. Despite the significant changes, he feels the environment within the club helps the new group settle quickly.

His move to Inter Kashi follows two positive seasons with Sreenidi Deccan, during which the team finishes as I-League runners-up before securing a third-place finish in the subsequent campaign.

Vaz Pinto also points towards his team’s performances against ISL opposition in the Super Cup, where Srinidhi defeats Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters, draws against Bengaluru FC and narrowly loses to East Bengal and Mumbai City.

“I feel that we deserve to be here because not only what we did in Srinidhi in IFL because we were two positive years runner-up,” he explains.

No foreign players, but no Complaints

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Inter Kashi is the club’s decision to compete without foreign players. However, Vaz Pinto insists that the arrangement is clearly communicated to him before he accepts the job and that he has no intention of using it as an excuse.

“When the president spoke to me, it was clear. The idea was clear. He told me the idea is to compete without foreigners. So, if I accept, I cannot complain about it,” the coach says.

While acknowledging that competing in the ISL without overseas recruits is a significant challenge, Vaz Pinto sees it as an opportunity to provide Indian footballers with more playing time and responsibility.

“When I look at these players, I feel they deserve more playing time. We have several young players we want to develop. In Indian football, strikers, in particular, often don’t get enough opportunities. We currently have only two strikers, both Indians, and giving them opportunities is important for the development of Indian football. I’m very happy about that.”

‘We want to dominate the games’

Despite working with an entirely Indian squad, Vaz Pinto has ambitious expectations for how Inter Kashi approach their matches. Rather than adopting a conservative style built around long balls, he wants his players to develop through possession-based football and an ability to control games.

“We want to play. We want to compete. We want to dominate the games. If I say this, maybe people think that I am crazy,” he says.

The Portuguese coach believes players cannot develop sufficiently if they are constantly asked to bypass midfield and rely on long balls. He wants Inter Kashi to build through possession, understand different phases of play and become comfortable competing against stronger opponents. He also cites the team’s early possession statistics as evidence that his ideas are beginning to take shape. Inter Kashi record 50 per cent possession in their first two matches against Kerala Blasters before enjoying 56 per cent against Odisha FC.

However, Vaz Pinto is quick to acknowledge that his team needs to adapt against stronger opposition, particularly sides expected to challenge for the top six.

“We know that against the teams that maybe will be in the top six, we cannot get the ball or keep the ball like we want. This is part of the game. But we will do our best.”

Facilities, game time and a longer league season

Beyond Inter Kashi’s immediate objectives, Vaz Pinto offers a broader assessment of what Indian football needs to improve if the country wants to become more competitive internationally.

“Training is not enough to develop players. They have to compete,” he emphasises.

Vaz Pinto also backs the idea of extending India’s domestic football calendar to nine months, arguing that the timing of the league has an impact on the national team’s international competitiveness.

“It’s not easy for a country as big as India to provide competitive opportunities, especially for youth teams. However, improving facilities and increasing the number of matches are essential.”

This would create the right environment for better players to emerge and help the national team coach. We need more games at both youth and senior levels, alongside better facilities.”

For Vaz Pinto, the immediate challenge is to establish Inter Kashi as a competitive unit while laying foundations for the future. In Pune, Kashi have found their home for this season. They know where the future lies next season, but as the challenges emerge, Vaz Pinto is steadfast in facing them all and surviving for now with a smile on his face.