Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera was happy after their 4-2 win against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Sunday. The Kalinga Warriors were able to hit the ground running, taking a convincing 3-0 lead in the first half.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Mourtada Fall, and Diego Mauricio found the back of the net in the first half and Mauricio then scored his second goal of the evening in the second half to help his team clinch all three points. Sunil Chhetri and Edgar Mendez scored for the Blues but it was not enough to stage any kind of comeback.
Interestingly, the home team had only 37% possession but took five shots on target and converted four out of their five attempts on goal.
“I am very happy, not only about the results and scoring four goals, but also about the way we got the three points. I think the first half was an amazing first half. With the ball and without the ball, we defend very well the spaces; we know the opponent team is very dangerous between lines, and the players understood perfectly what we did, and I am very proud of my players because they did an amazing job,” Lobera said in the post-match press conference.
“I am happy because it’s three very important points for us against a very strong team, but I am very happy with the way we got the three points,” he added.
The Spaniard also gave his gratitude to the fans, who turned in huge numbers to support the home team.
Speaking on the crowd support, Lobera said, “I can only say one thing: ‘Thank you.’ They are supporting us a lot. We are very strong in Kalinga. From the beginning, as a coach here, I only lost one game. This is not for me; this is not only for the players. It is because of the people we have in the stadium supporting us every time, pushing us.”
“I am very happy because, finally, this is our target. This is our job. When the people are coming to the stadium, it is very nice to see the people coming back home happy,” he continued.
Odisha FC will next take on defending champions Mumbai City FC on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.
