Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera said the supporters kept pushing them until the end after their 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the ongoing Indian Super League at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar on Sunday.
The Kalinga Warriors were playing at home and received backing from their home supporters throughout the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Hugo Boumous was able to put the home team in front in the fourth minute of the game but Manvir Singh equalized for the visitors in the 36th minute.
Despite having 39.4% possession, the home team took six shots on target.
“The players made an amazing effort, especially in the second half. In the first half, the transition was focused a lot on gaining possession of the ball, and we had to run a lot, which affected us in the second half,” Sergio Lobera said in the post-match press conference.
The Spaniard reckons they were well organized in the second half of the game.
“But in the second half, I think we were well-organized. In terms of defence, we didn’t give them any space. I also think we didn’t concede many chances to the opposing team compared to other teams. I believe we’ve improved. Today, we faced a very strong team. We also had our chances, and I think we could have scored one more, but this is the result, and I feel the result is fine,” opined the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, Odisha FC have been a force to reckon with in their home conditions as they have lost a solitary game in the last two seasons.
“The supporters helped us a lot, pushing the players until the end. We were a little bit tired at the end of the game, but the supporters kept pushing us.”
“The players made an amazing effort, and I am very happy to be strong at home. We’ve only lost one game in two seasons. We need to keep working, and the most important thing is to make the people who come to the stadium happy,” Lobera commented.
Odisha FC will next take on Hyderabad FC at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad on November 25 after the international break.
