While Odisha just missed the play-offs spot in the ISL last season, while Hyderabad FC finished at the bottom of the table. But, on the contrary, the new season has marked a new beginning for the Nizams.
On matchday 4 of Hero ISL season 7, Odisha FC lost 1-0 to Hyderabad FC at GMC Bambolim stadium, with Aridane Santana converting a penalty for Hyderabad. Both the teams were playing with great composure inclusive of build-up, possession game and quick counters.
Odisha FC’s Brazillian duo of Marcelinho and Diego Mauricio displayed some great sense of gameplay but failed to find the ball at the back of the net while Manuel Onwu’s performance wasn’t so impressive. Three Indian players from Odisha FC made their debut yesterday and they seemed to have a disappointing ISL debut, definitely a one to forget. Also, this was Hyderabad’s first ever clean sheet in their history of Hero ISL. Odisha FC’s Head Coach, Stuart Baxter isn’t happy even with his team’s performance.
In the post match conference, he said that, “The players suffered a frustration due to the conceding of a penalty and it was clearly visible on their faces which made them commit mistakes.” Hopefully, the boys of Odisha will be working much more harder this time and they should also be able to cope up with the disappointment of a defeat in the very first match of the season.
Odisha FC will be facing Jamshedpur FC in their next match on sunday, 29th November.