Odisha FC showed great mentality and spirit to fight back a two goal deficit to ultimately win the game 3-2 against Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Tuesday. It was the man in form, Daniel Chukwu CHima who scored for the hosts followed by a goal from Boris Singh but goals from Isaac Vanmalsawma and a brace from Diego Mauricio which included a late winner helped the Juggernauts return home with all three points.
Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau was very happy with his team’s cohesive display and the way they did not lose morale even after conceding two late goals. It was all about the fighting spirit and the belief among the unit that helped them win their opening match of this season’s ISL.
Gombau admitted that they started slow and then it was very difficult to get into the flow of the game but they did their best and finally managed to get involved in the game. He instilled their minds with belief at halftime and motivated them to keep up the good fight. “We started with a lack of concentration in the first ten minutes and it was very difficult but gradually we started getting involved in the game, and I think we finished the first half quite well. At half time, I said to the boys that the mistakes in the first half cannot happen again and that we have to create several chances and believe in ourselves that we can relax, score, and win the game,” Gombau said at the post match press conference.
Speaking about celebrations after the win, Gombau was unfazed as he highlighted that it is a big league so no celebrations right now. He just shared how happy and proud he is for showing the mentality to fight till the last whistle. “ It’s our first game of the league, so not a big celebration. I just want to say to the players that I’m happy for them and I’m proud because this mentality is strong as we came back stronger to win the game. But it’s football, you can take the win home but you have to shift focus on to the next game,” Gombau added.
Lastly when quizzed that if this is the kind of Odisha FC that people will expect going forward in the season, Gombau revealed that they are looking to attack and play an offensive brand of football. “Yes, we are a team that has the offensive mentality and we want to have the ball and this is the way we want to play (going forward). Today, in the very beginning, it was difficult for us to implement our playing style, and we decided to play our game later on and it paid off for us. However, this is the way we want to approach this season,” he concluded.
