OFC seek perfect start with new-look midfield as CFC visit
Tanushmita Das & Siddhant Mishra
September 13, 2024, 21:00 | Updated 21:00 IST
Odisha FC will look to hit the ground running in the team’s ISL opener on Saturday, when Chennaiyin FC come visiting. The teams will lock horns in an early kick-off at the Kalinga Stadium, looking for a winning start to the campaign.
Sergio Lobera has strengthened his squad with key additions this summer, and will look to capitalise on home advantage. The team made the Kalinga Stadium a fortress last season, going the entire league campaign unbeaten at home.
A blend of youth with experience makes Lobera’s new-look midfield one to keep an eye on, even as the management has retained majority of last season’s squad that had an impressive run.
That OFC play four of their first five fixtures at home comes as a boon, providing the chance to take an early lead in the table.
Chennaiyin’s last visit to the ground resulted in a 2-0 win for the home team, thanks to goals from Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Diego Mauricio either side of half time.
Despite enduring a disappointing end to last season with no silverware, OFC head into the new campaign with much to be upbeat about.
The first team started its preparation with a two-week camp in Bhubaneswar before travelling to Goa for the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy, organised by the Goa FA. The tournament saw participation by three ISL teams, two from I-League and one from the GOA Pro League, with two overseas teams completing the set.
A 2-1 win over Defensa y Justicia, followed by victories against Chennaiyin FC and Churchill Brothers led OFC to the semi-final. After edging past A-League heavyweight Brisbane Roar, the team lost the final to FC Goa in a shootout.
For the traditional curtain raiser — Durand cup — OFC had sent its reserve team like previous seasons to give the budding players experience and game time. In an earlier interview to JSF, Lobera had praised the young team’s performance, saying they could be called upon when needed to the first team.
Players like Aphaoba, Givson, and Niraj stood out in particular, which bodes well for the squad’s depth.
An encouraging pre-season, bright spots in the reserve team, and the new signings will make the Juggernauts believe they can compete on all fronts once again and go a step further.
Hugo Boumous, Rahim Ali, Saviour Gama, and Rohit Kumar join the roster, while Raynier Fernandes returns for his second stint in Bhubaneswar.
The signing of star midfielder Hugo Boumous has been the standout move this summer, indicating that a more attacking gameplay is on the cards. Despite no dearth of creativity up front, the team fell short in the attacking third for much of the business end of the season.
Hugo’s arrival is seen addressing the gap in link between the forwards and midfielders. It provides adequate back-up to Ahmed Jahouh, on whose long balls the team was seen reliant on for chances.
While some concerns surrounding the team’s defensive frailty last season remain, Gama comes as a promising addition on the left side.
Another aspect Lobera would be keen to address is the team’s results on the road. The team won eight of the 11 games at home last season, drawing the remaining three. It was a different story away from home, with the team managing just three wins and securing just 12 points from a possible 33.
A win against the former ISL champions will be the perfect start for the men in purple, who have won just thrice against the Chennai outfit in 10 attempts. With one win apiece last season, the teams will once again battle it out in what could be yet another keenly contested edition of this fixture.
About the Authors:
Tanushmita Das: Senior Editor at Juggernauts Sporting Foundation, she is a dynamic follower of Indian and Odisha football, with a passion for research on sports at the grassroots level.
Siddhant Mishra: Editorial Director at Juggernauts Sporting Foundation, Siddhant leads the charge in shaping our creative voice through words. An avid football aficionado and a Juggernaut by heart.
