ISL 2025–26: TG Purushothaman calls for clinical attacking edge ahead of Mohammedan clash

Odisha FC return to home after playing after four consecutive away games.

Odisha FC, led by TG Purushothaman, has had a mixed start to the 2025/26 ISL season. Their campaign began with two straight draws against Inter Kashi FC and Chennaiyin FC. Then Mohun Bagan gave them a reality check, defeating them 5-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium.

After the painful setback, they responded with a comfortable victory against Northeast United FC. However, just when things were looking upwards, they suffered consecutive losses to Mumbai City FC and FC Goa.

They will play winless Mohammedan SC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar next, giving them another chance to recover and advance up in the league table. Before the game, head coach TG Purushothaman addressed the media about his team’s recent performance, home advantage, and goal-scoring struggles.

TG Purushothaman on the last game against FC Goa:

While Odisha FC’s recent meeting against FC Goa resulted in a 3-1 victory for the Gaurs, the true story of the game is quite the opposite. Odisha FC were the superior team for major parts of the game, but they were unable to make the most of their opportunities and fell short, conceding from simple chances. The Odisha FC head coach acknowledged this stance and insisted his team dominated the game.

“I think we were dominating in all the moments of the game against FC Goa. The only problem was in not converting the chances into goals. So, when we play a bad match against a better team, when we don’t score at the right time, it happens like this. When we get some pressure, it is quite natural to concede these goals. But the goals also have to be defended. It’s not like how they break our defence and score. Some small mistakes, and they converted into goals,” stated TG Purushothaman

TG Purushothaman on Mohammedan SC:

When asked if playing against Mohammedan SC, who are at the bottom of the table with no points from seven games, gives his players any confidence going into the game, TG Purushothaman quickly dismissed these claims, stating that every team has its own strengths and will pose a challenge of its own.

“There is no overconfidence or low confidence. We have to know the opponents, how they play, how they can destroy us, how we want to defend and overcome all the difficult things the opponents give us. We are prepared for that. All the teams have their own strengths and weaknesses. We need to use that positively. At the end of the day, we need to win. So, we are trying for that,” added TG Purushothaman.

TG Purushothaman on goal scoring woes:

While Odisha has scored in four of their six games this season, their conversion rate from chances in front of the goal to actual goals has been relatively poor, as seen during their latest match against FC Goa. While this is to be anticipated for a club with no foreign strikers, TG Purushothaman indicated that his team has been working on this matter and intends to improve future games.

“The only problem for us is the (goal) conversion. That’s the challenge we are facing. We have done enough things last week, when we got the time to practice, we did everything for that. Hopefully, everything goes fine, and we score more goals. Hopefully, the conversion comes up for the next matches. So, when it comes, I think everything will be okay,” acknowledged TG Purushothaman.

TG Purushothaman on preferred formation:

“Regarding the formation, for me, it’s the players (who decided): my players, the opponent players and where we play. For me, the formation is like that. We organise everything for the opponents and for the home or away situations. We can play anything; we have all the tools. We want to make it in the right way at the right time,” insisted TG Purushothaman.

TG Purushothaman on playing in front of home fans:

Odisha FC began the 2025/26 ISL season with two home games, but were forced to play their last four games away from home. They have now returned to their fortress , Kalinga, where they have not won or lost, drawing both games. TG Purushothaman discussed the positive aspects of playing at home and urged the Juggernauts to come and support their team from the stands.

“In an away match, there can’t be this many people to support us. In a home match, it’s a bit different. As we know, in the past matches, we played very well in our home matches. This match will also be a good match. I want them to come and support us. It’s the most important thing to play at home. With our fans and with all the resources we have, we can achieve (good things). We are enjoying it,” added TG Purushothaman.

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