More than winning a point, we lost two points: Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera

Odisha FC will next face Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Cup

Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC secured a shared result, as both teams concluded the match with a 2-2 score line here at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Odisha took the lead in the dying moments of the first half as Jerry Mawihmingthanga capitalized on a defensive mistake by Akash Mishra. However, Mumbai swiftly equalized just two minutes into the second half. Rostyn Griffiths showcased his aerial prowess by leaping above the Odisha defenders and perfectly connecting with a cross by Greg Stewart.

Once again, Odisha took the lead in the 76th minute, this time through the efforts of Roy Krishna. A rough challenge from Mumbai's Nawaz on Krishna resulted in a penalty, duly converted by the latter to further solidify Odisha's advantage.

In the 89th minute, Mumbai again managed to equalize the score line. Vikram Pratap Singh skillfully delivered a cross into the box, which was met by a precise header from Jorge Diaz, resulting in both teams sharing a point.

On today's game

During the post-match press conference, Odisha FC’s Coach Sergio Lobera expressed a sense of disappointment, as a victorious outcome ended with a draw. He said, “I think, more than winning one point, we lost two points. There are several positive aspects that require thorough analysis. Nonetheless, I am proud of the performance displayed by my players.”

“In my perspective, our performance in the initial half was superior. We maintained possession and inflicted some challenges upon the opposition. However, as the game progressed to the second half, the balance shifted and both teams displayed a more equitable performance. Unfortunately, the impact of the final goal proved pivotal, preventing us from securing a crucial two-point advantage, he added.

Players looking tired

Sergio also hinted about the players getting tired because of regular fixtures. He stated that, “We have been engaging in numerous games within a compressed timeframe. Our upcoming schedule necessitates a journey to Bangladesh tomorrow. Consequently, certain players are experiencing fatigue during the second half, thereby highlighting the need for substitutions, particularly on the wings. But despite the challenge of facing a formidable opponent like Mumbai City, our team has exhibited commendable competitiveness.”

Next AFC Cup fixture

Odisha FC is going to face Bashundhara Kings in their next AFC Cup tie up. On a question about it, the coach looked quite confident of giving a good performance, “The outcome of the initial match in the AFC tournament was arduous. However, we remain resolute as we look ahead to the forthcoming encounter. And there we will be representing India, so we need to give our best to get a better result.”

Odisha FC’s next match is against Bashundhara Kings on 2nd October 2023 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, Bangladesh. The match will begin at 5.30 PM IST.