Sergio Lobera: We are not underestimating Maziya

Odisha FC boss Sergio Lobera also spoke about the hectic schedule his team has to go through.

Odisha FC are gearing up to face Maziya S&RC in their next AFC Cup 2023-24 tie on November 7, at the Maldives National Football Stadium. 

The Juggernauts will approach the match with great confidence, having secured two consecutive victories in the ISL. They triumphed over Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United in their home ground. Furthermore, in their previous AFC Cup outing, they delivered an impressive performance, defeating Maziya 6-1.

Ahead of the match, in the pre-match press conference, Odisha FC’s head coach Sergio Lobera and winger Isak Vanlalruatfela spoke to the media. Excerpts are below: 

About the game

This will be the second encounter between Odisha FC and Maziya S&RC in the AFC Cup. Despite winning the previous match, head coach Sergio Lobera is displaying caution as his team prepares to face the same opponents at their home ground.

He said in the press conference, “We are eagerly anticipating this game. We acknowledge its challenging nature and we are not underestimating them as they are going to play on their home turf. This presents a valuable opportunity for us to secure points and position ourselves favourably to contend for success.”

Advantage of having experienced players

Although Sergio Lobera backed his players, he looked skeptical while talking about the tight schedule with games one after the other. He said, “It is always advantageous to have experienced players as they possess knowledge about the level of competition and the teams they will be facing. However, I am also excited about the inclusion of young players like Isak (Vanlalruatfela). We are fully prepared to compete in this tournament, including the ISL.” 

“Our schedule is quite demanding, with five games in a span of 15 days. It may seem a little hectic, but we must adapt to the situation and ensure our readiness. The key is to find a balance that allows us to provide ample time for player recovery, especially when traveling between games,” he added. 

Opportunity of playing AFC Cup

Isak Vanlalruatfela appeared very enthusiastic while discussing his participation in the AFC Cup. He said, “This is my first participation in the AFC Cup throughout my career and I consider it a remarkable opportunity. Moreover, I am fortunate to be adorned with a skilful team and a remarkable coach.”

“This experience holds immense value to me. Thus, I perceive tomorrow’s away game as a splendid chance and we will dedicate ourselves to deliver our utmost effort. Our attention is entirely focused on each forthcoming match, without dwelling on our past encounters,” he added. 

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