Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera hailed his team’s collective effort and fighting spirit after their impressive 3-1 comeback victory against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday.

Hyderabad FC took the lead in the first half through Stefan Sapić, but Odisha FC responded in dominant fashion after the break. Within just five minutes of the restart, goals from Mourtada Fall and Hugo Boumous turned the game around, while Rahim Ali sealed the victory with a 70th-minute strike.

Odisha FC Stays in Playoff Race

The win keeps Odisha FC in seventh place in the ISL standings, just two points behind Mumbai City FC, although they have played one game more. With 41 goals scored this season, Odisha now holds the highest goal tally in the league. Additionally, their 18 goals from set-pieces put them just behind Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s 19 in dead-ball situations.

Lobera Lauds Team’s Fighting Spirit

Speaking after the match, Lobera praised his players for their resilience and second-half performance.

“I am very happy with the reaction of the team after the first half. The team showed character, a collective spirit, and came back from a difficult situation. It was a painful first half after conceding, but the response in the second half was amazing,” Lobera said in the post-match press conference.

He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and consistency in difficult situations.

“We are working as a team, as a family on the pitch. If you want to win trophies, you need this spirit. It’s not enough to have talented individuals; we need to build a strong team,” he added.

Room for Improvement in Finishing

Despite the victory, Lobera urged his players to be more clinical in front of goal.

“We need to be more efficient because scoring three goals is great, but we had more chances to score and manage the game differently,” he noted.

Looking Ahead

With momentum on their side, Odisha FC will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the ISL 2024-25 season. Their next challenge will be crucial in determining their fate in the league standings.