KOLKATA: High on confidence after advancing to the knockout stage of AFC Cup beating group leaders Bashundhara Kings in a must-win game in their last outing, Odisha FC will hope to continue their good form when they take on rock-bottom Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) game at home on Sunday.
On a seven-game unbeaten streak across competitions – with the 2-2 at Mohun Bagan Super Giants 10 days ago in ISL the only draw among those – Odisha will have their task cut out at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar against a side who is yet to taste a win in nine attempts this edition.
The 2021-22 ISL champions and last season’s semifinalists Hyderabad find themselves in a precarious position with only four points in their kitty so far. They have drawn four and lost the other five ties and see debutant Punjab FC just above them on the 12-team roster.
The Kalinga Warriors are on fifth spot with 14 points after eight matches.
The hosts also boast of the best home record this season, securing three wins in four outings on home soil. Though the overall head-to-head record puts the visitors slightly ahead of the home team, their recent form keeps the Nizams on the challengers’ position in the game. In eight clashes between them, Odisha have won three while Hyderabad triumphed in four.
“We recognize the potential of our opponents and are fully prepared to face them. No matter the obstacles, we have confidence in our squad’s abilities, and we are committed to playing at our best,” Juggernauts’ head coach Sergio Lobera said during the pre-match press conference in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Addressing the growth of his wards, Lobera pointed towards the continuous efforts to improve different aspects of their game. “We are a team in progress, and continuous hard work is crucial for our development. I am happy because the game’s working really well, and I am very proud of my players. They are very good professionals, they are improving every day,” Lobera said during the interaction.
Having already endured a tough start to the season, coach Thangboi Singto however remains hopeful of a turnaround. Identifying the loopholes in Odisha’s gameplan and exploiting them will be the key for them.
“I give a big salute to the players and to the staff. On the training pitch, everyone has been giving their best in terms of what we want to do as a team, in terms of preparation, in terms of what we have to achieve in going forward, because lingering in the last position of the league is not at all what you want,” the former Shillong Lajong coach said ahead of the game.
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