Bhubaneswar: After securing a point at home against NorthEast United FC thanks to a dramatic late equaliser, the Kalinga Warriors will now travel to Fatorda to face a resilient FC Goa. This fixture comes at a crucial time for both teams. Odisha FC is looking to keep pace in the race for the playoff spots, while FC Goa are locked in the ISL Shield race with leaders Mohun Bagan.
However, Head Coach Sergio Lobera will not be present on the sidelines for this match following a red card in the home game against NorthEast United FC. Assistant Coach Anthony Fernandes will take charge, with Odisha FC currently sitting in 7th place with 25 points.
FC Goa, on the other hand, come into the game following a damaging 3-1 loss to Jamshedpur FC. Despite the setback, the Gaurs are third with 33 points, and seem to have one foot in the playoff spots.
Ahead of the match, Odisha FC held a pre-match press conference at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, where Assistant Coach Anthony Fernandes and player Saviour Gama spoke to the media.
When asked about the upcoming away fixtures against teams like Goa, Mohun Bagan, and Jamshedpur, and whether Odisha FC’s top-six chances are slim given their unpredictable form, Coach Anthony responded: “Whenever we play an away match, it’s always an advantage for the home team. So, I should say it’s always tough, but not difficult. We prepare tactically as much as we can for the game, and we motivate our players to give their best when we’re away from home. But playing against teams like Goa and Mohun Bagan, who are among the top teams in the league, is always extra difficult. But we are very focused and will try to get all three points.”
Speaking about Odisha FC’s attacking approach, Coach Anthony added: “This is our style of play, the way we approach the game. We love to have possession, and we do it very well. We create a lot of chances because of the way we play, which shows we’r a very creative team. Creating chances is important, but sometimes we miss a few. However, we are one of the second-highest scoring teams in the league. It’s about creating, but the key thing for us is finding the right balance.”
