Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC travel to face neighbours Jamshedpur FC in the final match of the league phase this season, with their hopes of making it to the playoffs all but over. The Kalinga warriors, who have had a disappointing season, find themselves in a must-win situation to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Yet, a win won't suffice as they are heavily dependent on other results going their way.
After a frustrating goalless draw against Mohammedan SC at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha FC currently sit in seventh place with 30 points. Not only do Odisha FC need to secure all three points against Jamshedpur, they will then pin their hopes on Mumbai City losing their remaining two games. Even a single point for Mumbai City will end Odisha FC's playoff race. Head coach Sergio Lobera has acknowledged that the team needs a miracle to seal a playoff spot.
"Obviously, we need to be realistic. It's very difficult. We need a little bit of a miracle to achieve our target and finish in the playoffs," Lobera said, acknowledging the slim margin for error. "We have to rely on other results, but we can’t give up just yet."
Jamshedpur FC, on the other hand, has already secured its playoff berth and currently sits in second place with 38 points. In their previous encounter with Odisha FC earlier in the season in Bhubaneswar, Odisha FC emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.
When asked about his team's chances, Lobera reflected on the season as a whole. "It’s been a difficult season, but there have been a lot of positives. We need to find the balance, which has been the challenge. We've scored a lot of goals, but we've also conceded too many. The focus is on finding that defensive stability," Lobera said.
Jamshedpur FC's rise to second place has been nothing short of impressive, despite a shaky start during which they suffered heavy defeats. Lobera, however, had nothing but praise for the opposition's performance this season. "They are a very good team, and the coach is doing an amazing job with them. They are compact, and despite going through a difficult phase, they’ve managed to turn things around. They deserve to be in this position," he said.
Odisha FC's forward Jerry M. also spoke about the importance of team morale, particularly in light of the season’s ups and downs. "The atmosphere in the team is good. It’s not that we lack pressure, but the intensity and cohesion at training are high. We deserve more than what we've got, but the team is united, and the environment in the dressing room is positive," he said, reiterating the team's commitment.
Looking ahead to the clash, Jerry also reflected on his personal connection with Jamshedpur FC, where he had his breakthrough season. "Jamshedpur has a special place in my heart. It’s where I started playing regularly, and I scored my first goal there. It's always nice to come back and play," he added.
