The second edition of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy has kicked off on the western shores of India in Goa, bringing together a diverse set of teams from across the globe. This year’s tournament, the 23rd edition of the championship and the second since its revival last season, features eight clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), the I-League, the Australian A-League, and Argentina’s top flight.
Among the teams making early strides in the tournament are FC Goa, Brisbane Roar, and Chennaiyin FC, each securing victories in their opening matches. However, it was Odisha FC’s statement-making 2-1 win over Argentina’s Defensa y Justicia at the Fatorda Stadium that particularly stood out. Following the match, Odisha FC’s head coach, Sergio Lobera, spoke to the media, offering insights into the game, his team’s performance, and the significance of the competition.
On Defensa y Justicia’s Performance
Lobera began by commending Defensa y Justicia for their competitive spirit, especially considering the challenges they faced. The Argentine side had to contend with the fatigue and difficulties of long travel, yet still managed to put up a strong fight against Odisha FC.
“I think they have a lot of merit because they play against us after a long trip, the players are very tired, and they compete very well against us,” Lobera acknowledged. “I think it’s good to have games like this because this situation showed us that we need to improve in a lot of things.”
The Spaniard emphasized that his team is still in the process of refining their game, and matches like these are crucial for identifying and addressing areas that need improvement.
Odisha FC’s Performance and Areas for Improvement
Despite the win, Lobera was quick to point out that his team has much to improve upon, particularly in sticking to their tactical identity of dominating possession and controlling the game’s tempo.
“We are in the process of improving. We are in the pre-season starting the first game against a good opponent,” Lobera said. “It’s helpful for me as a coach to play games like this because we can speak with the players and we can show the reality when you are not competing 100% you are having problems. I think the best today was the result, but we need to improve a lot of things.”
Lobera expressed satisfaction with the result but stressed that the team’s performance fell short of his expectations in terms of execution, particularly in maintaining possession and managing transitions.
“We are in the process, but we need to dominate the game, keeping possession of the ball,” he explained. “There are a lot of transitions, recovering the ball, losing the ball. We had a lot of rush to arrive at the opponent’s goal and to score quickly. Our identity, our philosophy is to dominate the game, keeping the possession of the ball.”
Raynier Fernandes’ Role and Tactical Adjustments
Lobera also discussed the role of Raynier Fernandes in the match, noting the adjustments made to better exploit his attacking capabilities in the second half. Fernandes was initially positioned in a role that left too much distance between the lines, hindering Odisha’s ability to connect play effectively.
“In the first half, we suffered because there are big distances between lines,” Lobera explained. “This is the reason I put Roy as a winger, and Diego in front. This allowed us to have [Hugo] Boumous more in attacking positions.”
Lobera praised Fernandes for his attacking mindset, which he believes was instrumental in improving the team’s second-half performance.
“He’s a more attacking player than a defensive player,” he noted. “This situation, I think, improved the team in the second half, arriving with more players in attacking positions.”
Thoughts on the Participation of Overseas Clubs
The inclusion of overseas clubs in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy has been a significant feature, offering Indian teams a valuable opportunity to measure themselves against higher-caliber international competition. Lobera was full of praise for the tournament organizers for bringing such quality opposition to India.
“I want to congratulate the organization of this tournament because I think it’s amazing for India to have the opportunity to play with players and with teams, clubs like the Argentine and Australian team who are coming to play against us,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of these matches in helping Indian clubs prepare for the competitive season ahead, particularly during the pre-season.
“This allows us to show the level, how the level we had this opportunity last season playing the AFC Cup,” Lobera concluded. “And in this period, during the pre-season, it’s amazing to be able to play tournaments like this.”
As the tournament progresses, Odisha FC and other participating teams will undoubtedly look to build on these early experiences, aiming for further success and development on the international stage.
