Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC are all set to take on Chennaiyin FC in what is a crucial Indian Super League (ISL) encounter for both sides at Kalinga Stadium here on Monday.
A win against Chennaiyin FC can take Odisha to within a point of fourth-placed Mumbai City FC. And with the league entering a decisive phase, Odisha side cannot afford a slip-up.
Chennaiyin FC are also at a stage where anything other than three points could render the gap between them and the top four clubs too much to cut down. They are currently eighth on the table with nine points but a win will see them draw level with Odisha who are sixth.
For Odisha FC coach Josep Gombau, his team’s trouble in closing out games remains a worry. They generally tend to perform better in the first half before running out of steam in the second. Of the 13 goals Odisha have scored so far, only five have come in the second half of games. Besides, 10 out of the 15 goals they have conceded have also been in the second half. The Odisha think-tank must figure out the reason behind this trend and find a remedy soon enough.
“We have created a lot of chances, creating crosses. Of course, we have to score more goals. Going forward we have to be confident. Defensively we have to improve. It is not that we are conceding many goals. Under coach Josep Gombau we are trying to improve on our loopholes. Next match we will go for a win,” said Jacobo Varela, Odisha FC’s assistant coach.
The big worry for Chennaiyin FC will be the inability to string a couple of wins together. They have just two wins in nine games and are yet to win consecutive ISL games since the start of last season.
For Odisha, the sights will be set on a second consecutive win at the Kalinga Stadium, Scroll.In reported.
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