Had confidence we can get result, says Odisha FC coach Josep Gombau

Odisha FC's first home game saw the Juggernauts play comprehensively to beat last season's runners Kerala Blasters 2-1.

Odisha FC's first home game proved to be a very good game for the side as they beat last season's runners-up Kerala Blasters by a margin of 2-1. It was a very good game whereby both the teams tried their best to get all three points. Just when the match was poised to end with a draw, Odisha's super-sub Pedro Martin stole the show with a stunning goal that saw the Kalinga Warriors leave the field with three points. After the match, Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau reacted to the victory in the post-match press conference.

The following are some of the excerpts from the presser.

Gombau on winning their first home game

Gombau looked visibly happy after winning at home. He did not hide his happiness and said the victory was a very good result. He said, "We are very happy. It was our first game here in Kalinga and we got a good result. It is something that is difficult in this league because all the teams are quite good. Kerala Blasters are a very good side. Today we won this game and we are very happy."

Fighting back after conceding the first goal

In reply to a question asking how Odisha FC made the comeback possible, Gombau said that he believed that his side can turn the game, and, at half time, he told the same to his players. He said, "I think we were playing quite well. We conceded the goal from a set piece.

"After we came inside the changing room after the first half, we discussed a few things that we need to change to play better. We had the confidence that we can bring back the result and win the game."

Thoughts on his substitutions

Asked about the impact which his substitutions had on the game, Gombau asserted that a team comprises 25 players and all of them are assets. He said, "You don't win games or win any trophy with just 11 players. We have 25 players and depending on the game we are using one or the other.

"The players who came on in the second half made a good impact. This is the spirit of the team. Everybody can play and when a player comes on from the bench, he needs to improve what was inside the pitch before."

Having more ball possession

Gombau explained the difference in his approach across the two halves which saw a marked improvement in Odisha's game in the second half. He said, "It was a very equal game. Both teams play a little bit differently. They (Kerala Blasters) are more direct than us. We built a few attacking movements to try and beat them.

"In the first half, it really did not work much with how we had prepared because they were not pressing higher. They were around the middle. In the second half, we had to change the result. So, we started to have more of the ball, we created more chances, and we scored two goals."

Approach the upcoming fixtures of the season

On being asked about his approach for the upcoming fixtures, Josep Gombau stated that they are going to take one game at a time. He also reiterated that almost all the teams in the league are equal in terms of quality. He said, "We go game by game. It is good to play against very strong opponents at the very beginning of the season. But after watching the games, I think all the teams are strong and good.

"I don't see a big difference between teams and every team can beat every other team. All the games are very equal. So, we go game by game. In three days' time, we have the next game. This night is to enjoy because we have won. But from tomorrow we will start to prepare for the next game."

If Odisha should have scored more goals?

Josep Gombau did not think that Odisha FC had a problem finishing the game. He said that his side was a bit unlucky, but refuted any claim of their finishing being poor. He stated, "No, it is not easy to score a goal. I think we were a bit unlucky in the first half. We had a couple of corners where we were very close to scoring. We had a shot saved by the goalkeeper (Prabhsukhan Gill) in the very first minute of the second half that was very close.

"Yet, we scored two goals. It is not easy to create five-six clear chances. We scored two and I think we should be satisfied."

Any specific learning for the next home game

In reply to a question enquiring whether his team will take any specific learning from today's game, Gombau said that that was not really the case. He briefly talked about their approach for the following game to explain his point. He said, "No, every game is different. Next, we have another very strong opponent like Bengaluru FC.

"They are a team that can do very well. They beat us in the Durand Cup. Now is the moment for us to try and defeat them. It is the moment for the players to take the hunger that we have inside us to beat them and win the game here."

Josep Gombau's reaction to Odisha FC's home support

Gombau strongly emphasised that it is very important for a football club to play in front of their fans. He explained how it helps a team psychologically. He said, "It is very important to play at home. It gives you more power as all the people are helping us. They (The fans) are encouraging the team to play better. Sometimes when you are exhausted or tired, if you are in front of your fans, your fans give you this extra power that you need to make your life easy."