Odisha FC aim to seal the play-off spot as they face Jamshedpur at Kalinga: ISL 2022-23 – The Juggernauts had their most impressive season in the Hero ISL. After a morale-boosting 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC, Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC heads to the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar as they host Jamshedpur FC in their season’s final league game on Wednesday, February 22, 7:30 P.M IST.
The Eastern Dragons currently sit in the sixth position of the league table with 30 points from the 19 games so far in the season. They have won nine games and drawn three before coming into the final league fixture. They maintained their stellar record at home after a 3-1 win over Hyderabad FC before traveling to Guwahati. The Kalinga Warriors climbed back up into the playoff spots of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) after a resounding 3-1 win against NorthEast United FC and the three crucial points were picked up by the Juggernauts thanks to goals from Nandhakumar Sekar, Victor Rodriguez, and Diego Mauricio.
The quest for the playoff spot is well poised with the Juggernauts being the firm favorites over FC Goa. Odihsa FC need only one point to qualify while the Gaurs need at least a win and require Odisha to lose. As mentioned earlier, the Juggernauts have 30 points in 19 games and the Guars have 27 points in 19 games. However, the goal difference of FC Goa is positive, while Odisha’s goal difference is zero.
The pre-match press conference of OFC was conducted on 21st February 2023 at Kalinga Stadium with Head Coach Josep Gombau and player Lalthuammawia Ralte.
Talking about the crucial game, Odisha FC head coach mentioned, “Tomorrow is a very important game for us because if we get a good result we will qualify for the playoff spot and this is the last home game of the season we will try to win and try to get all three points. Jamshedpur FC is a very good team, they are quite well in the last three-four games. We are hungry and we want to qualify for the playoff for the first time. The prior concentration, the commitment, and the training, we think tomorrow we will do a good job.”
Talking about the upcoming Lalthuammawia Ralte “I think for tomorrow’s game we have been training all week, I am adopted with all players, we are all good teammates in training, whatever the coach asks us to do we give our hundred percent, and now we are all good teammates in training, whatever the coach asks us to do we give our hundred percent and now we are fully prepared for every situation.”
The previous clash between the two teams saw Odisha FC defeat Jamshedpur FC 2-3 at Jamshedpur. The Red Miners are currently placed tenth on the table, with 16 points and they are traveling to Kalinga to play their final league game of the season after they beat Hyderabad FC 3-2 in Hyderabad.