Odisha FC will play host to one of its fiercest on-field rivals, Mohun Bagan SG, in the first leg of the ISL-10 semifinal at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday. The two teams have played to a draw in their two previous meetings in the league stage, with both matches ending in a stalemate (2-2 and 0-0). The upcoming contest takes on a new dimension as Mohun Bagan SG arrives to challenge Odisha as the new League Shield champion, a title it earned by defeating powerhouse Mumbai City FC.
Odisha, which secured a thrilling comeback win (2-1) against Kerala Blasters in the knockout match to qualify for the semifinals, will also be brimming with confidence. The team will be looking to make the most of its home advantage and try to force a win that would give it the upper hand ahead of the second leg at Salt Lake Stadium on April 28. Having fallen short in the League title race due to some poor results in the final stage of the fixtures, Odisha will be eager to redeem itself in the knockouts and claim its maiden ISL crown. To do that, it will need to outplay one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera recalled his team’s performance in the AFC Cup league stage, where it made a remarkable comeback to convincingly beat Mohun Bagan 5-2 at the latter’s home before becoming the eventual group champion. That was a great response from Lobera’s side, especially after it was blanked 4-0 in the first meeting at Kalinga Stadium.
There is no clear favorite in this matchup, as the two teams have each won one match and drawn two. With the region experiencing extreme heat, the weather will be a significant challenge for both teams, and the side that shows better endurance will likely emerge victorious.
