Odisha FC look for instant response against in-form Punjab FC
Odisha FC travel to New Delhi for their first away match of the campaign against Punjab FC, following a disappointing defeat at home in the opening game of ISL 2024-25.
Meanwhile, The Shers made a winning start to their league campaign over Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi, with a stoppage-time goal securing the match 2-1 in favour of Panagiotis Dilmperis’s men. They will be looking to replicate the performance at home.
Punjab FC will continue playing their home games at Delhi’s JLN Stadium this season. The Punjab outfit are looking for their first win over Odisha FC, who did the double over the former last season.
It was a tight contest between the two sides at the JLN last season, with Roy Krishna’s solitary goal giving the Kalinga Warriors an important 1-0 win.
Team News:
Both sides will be missing key players for Friday’s clash. Odisha FC center-back Carlos Delgado sustained an injury against Chennaiyin, ruling him out of the Punjab clash, while Saviour Gama’s debut was also cut short.
Meanwhile, Punjab FC will be without star forward Luka Majcen, who is set to miss 6-8 weeks of football owing to the injury sustained against the Blasters at Kochi. The Kalinga Warriors will see a few familiar faces in the opposite dugout, with former players Vinit Rai, Ravi Kumar, Princeton Rebello, and Nikhil Prabhu now part of the Punjab FC squad.
Coach Sergio Lobera, however, said he is happy with a selection headache, as he has many options at his disposal up front.
Pre-Match Press Conference:
The press conference was addressed by Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera and Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
Lobera said the team’s focus will be on avoiding the mistakes of the first match. “When you lose one game, the focus should be on improving in the next. We are ready for the challenge.”
However, Lobera said that every game should be approached differently, and praised Punjab FC for their opening week performance. “They are doing well and will compete at the highest level, but we have to focus on ourselves. If we don’t give our 100%, we won’t be able to put up a strong challenge against any team.”
Now in his sixth season at OFC, forward Jerry Mawihmingthanga said it’s been an honor to have been part of the squad all these years and aims to be called up for the national team soon under the new head coach.
Match Details:
Punjab FC vs Odisha FC
20th September 2024 (Friday)
Kick Off: 7:30 pm
JLN Stadium, Delhi
Live on Sports18, JioCinema
Odisha FC look for instant response against in-form Punjab FC
Odisha FC travel to New Delhi for their first away match of the campaign against Punjab FC, following a disappointing defeat at home in the opening game of ISL 2024-25.
Meanwhile, The Shers made a winning start to their league campaign over Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi, with a stoppage-time goal securing the match 2-1 in favour of Panagiotis Dilmperis’s men. They will be looking to replicate the performance at home.
Punjab FC will continue playing their home games at Delhi’s JLN Stadium this season. The Punjab outfit are looking for their first win over Odisha FC, who did the double over the former last season.
It was a tight contest between the two sides at the JLN last season, with Roy Krishna’s solitary goal giving the Kalinga Warriors an important 1-0 win.
Team News:
Both sides will be missing key players for Friday’s clash. Odisha FC center-back Carlos Delgado sustained an injury against Chennaiyin, ruling him out of the Punjab clash, while Saviour Gama’s debut was also cut short.
Meanwhile, Punjab FC will be without star forward Luka Majcen, who is set to miss 6-8 weeks of football owing to the injury sustained against the Blasters at Kochi. The Kalinga Warriors will see a few familiar faces in the opposite dugout, with former players Vinit Rai, Ravi Kumar, Princeton Rebello, and Nikhil Prabhu now part of the Punjab FC squad.
Coach Sergio Lobera, however, said he is happy with a selection headache, as he has many options at his disposal up front.
Pre-Match Press Conference:
The press conference was addressed by Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera and Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
Lobera said the team’s focus will be on avoiding the mistakes of the first match. “When you lose one game, the focus should be on improving in the next. We are ready for the challenge.”
However, Lobera said that every game should be approached differently, and praised Punjab FC for their opening week performance. “They are doing well and will compete at the highest level, but we have to focus on ourselves. If we don’t give our 100%, we won’t be able to put up a strong challenge against any team.”
Now in his sixth season at OFC, forward Jerry Mawihmingthanga said it’s been an honor to have been part of the squad all these years and aims to be called up for the national team soon under the new head coach.
Match Details:
Punjab FC vs Odisha FC
20th September 2024 (Friday)
Kick Off: 7:30 pm
JLN Stadium, Delhi
Live on Sports18, JioCinema
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