As Odisha FC defeated Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Tuesday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, head coach Sergio Lobera gave his team’s performance some thought. He said that while his team played well in the first half, they were outplayed in the second half by Punjab’s attacking football.
The Kalinga Warriors, who have 21 points from 11 games, move up to third place in the standings with this victory. Isak Vanlalruatfela and Roy Krishna’s combined play resulted in a goal for the Fijian in the 21st minute, which proved to be the game’s deciding moment as the Shers faced a 1-0 loss at home against the Kalinga Warriors. Lobera stated that his squad was superior in the first half and seems happy with the way his team performed. Although he conceded that the hosts had some difficulties in the second half, he felt his defense could handle them.
“I think we played very well in the first half,” Lobera stated in the post-match press conference as quoted by an ISL press release. “I am very happy. I think the first 45 minutes of our performance was very good. Keeping possession of the ball and dominating the game generates some chances for us. In the second half, we suffered a little bit more because Punjab FC is a brave team. They were trying to play attacking football. I like the coach. I think they are doing a very good job,” he added.
“It is not easy (for them). The first year of ISL is so difficult. I know very well. It is my fifth year in the ISL, and it’s not easy. I enjoy watching the games of Punjab FC because they try something–they try to play football–and they try to win the game. It is always not speculation, and I think it is very important for the supporters to have ISL teams like this. In the second half, we suffer a little bit more, and in this kind of game, when you get three points, maybe at the end of the session you need to remember that this point is very important for us,” he continued.
For the first time in the ISL, Odisha FC has now maintained three straight clean sheets.
Lobera is thrilled to have accomplished the remarkable accomplishment of three straight clean sheets. He gave his athletes credit for their diligence and hard work because they continuously outperformed them in various tournaments. “I am happy because it’s a new record,” he stated. We strive to strike a balance, and as a result, our defensive strategy is now more balanced. The fact that we have won eight of our last 10 games and drawn two is what matters most to me, though, as it is extremely hard to accomplish in various competitions.
We are playing a lot of games in a short amount of time, and I am really pleased with the team’s performance. We have two days left before we play Jamshedpur FC once more. I’m really proud of my players for collecting points like today. We are competing in the AFC Cup as well, and it’s not easy since we have a lot of games to play. The players are giving it their all, though.
Lobera expressed his happiness with the way his team has performed thus far. They do, however, stress the need for more development in the second half of the season.
“I am very happy with the first half in the ISL,” he said.
“I am very happy with the performance of my players. But also always, we need to improve, we need to grow, we need to be ambitious, we need to do some things better, and we need to continue working. We need to keep going,” Lobera signed off.
