Bhubaneswar: The Kalinga Warriors, riding high on a four-match unbeaten streak, is gearing up to take on East Bengal FC on Thursday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata.
This will be the second meeting between the two sides in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season 2024-25. The Kalinga Warriors emerged victorious in their first clash in October, defeating East Bengal FC 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium. Star players Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall were the heroes for Odisha FC, finding the back of the net in each half. East Bengal FC’s lone goal came through Dimitrios Diamantakos, who converted a penalty in added time during the first half.
Odisha FC is in solid form, currently sitting in fifth place on the ISL table with 16 points from 11 matches. Under the leadership of Head Coach Sergio Lobera, the team has shown consistency in both attack and defense.
On the other hand, East Bengal FC has had a challenging season. The Red and Gold Brigade needed help finding their rhythm in the initial stages, going winless in their opening fixtures. However, they seem to have turned a corner, securing back-to-back victories against Northeast United FC (1-0) and Chennaiyin FC (2-0). These wins have lifted them to 11th place on the table with 7 points from 9 matches.
Addressing the importance of the match in building momentum, Odisha FC Coach Lobera emphasized:
"Winning is always important. The next game is always the most crucial, as each one presents an opportunity for three points. This competition is highly competitive, and even a single point can be significant. With a long gap between our next games, it’s essential to capitalise now, maintain our position, and continue fighting for our top-six target."
