Indian Football League

Match 33: CFC vs. OFC

Preview

A huge task up front for both these teams as they will look to solidify their place in the top four. Both these team have done tremendously well thus far and has performed beyond the expectation. Even though Odisha lost their last match against Jamshedpur in a pretty bad manner, they will come stronger in this match and hope for all three points. Chennai, on the other hand, has lost their momentum and managed only two points from their last three games. It’s still pretty early into the campaign and in order to finish in the top four, they need to come back in form and start delivering again.

Odisha are currently sitting in the fourth position but they have a lot of things to address. The midfield and the attacking department are doing alright but when it comes to defending, they have been pretty shambolic. Javi Hernandez is definitely their main player and he dictates the pace of the team. The midfielder is a former league champion and thus he knows what it takes to win important matches. Along with him, Jerry Mawihmingthanga is a key figure. The young Indian has been playing some good football over the years and now it’s the time to take it to the next level. Coach Kiko Ramirez will however have a very hard job in his hand. After a 4-0 loss how his team will come back is something everyone wants to see.

In the pre match press conference the gaffer said, “The good thing is that we have a new opportunity this weekend. So, the message for the players is that we have a new opportunity to compete and win. And it’s the only way to change these things. We have to search within ourselves, what we do well and what we do bad. Yes, the coach has to be responsible for the situation and also all the staff and players and try to change things”.

Chennai are 5th in the table and with a win, they can move up and be the second best team in the league. Anirudh Thapa like always will be a person that they would look forward to in order to deliver for the team. The team definitely misses the service of Rafael Crivellaro but according to few reports, he has started his training but may not take part in today’s match. Chennai has a very compact defense and they should look forward to solidify that and make that their fortress. The attacking line-up should be less dependent on Thapa and with that, a lot of problems will be solved.

In the pre match press conference, coach Bozidar Bandovic has said, “First of all it’s clear that we are creating a lot of chances and not scoring. It happened in the last two games and against East Bengal as well. We need goals and I think it’s only a matter of time before we start scoring again. Our defense is well organized with discipline. If you want to play at a high level then you have to be disciplined. That’s what I said to my players. I agree we are not scoring many goals but we have to remain disciplined”.

CFC vs. OFC Predicted Line Ups

CFC – Vishal Kaith (GK), Ariel Borysiuk, Slavko Damjanovic, Narayan Das, Reagan Singh, Anirudh Thapa (c), Vladimir Koman, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lukasz Gikiewicz

OFC - Kamaljit Singh (GK), Hector Rodas, Lalruatthara, Victor Mongil, Henry Antonay, Javi Hernandez, Vinit Rai (c), Isaac Vanmalsawma, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jonathas, Aridai Cabrera

Match Prediction

It is going to be a good match where both the teams will be tested. Chennai may win the match as their defense is pretty much sorted. Odisha has been bad defensively and Chennai can take advantage of the situation.

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