Punjab FC will eyeing a league double as they take on Odisha FC in the Indian Super League fixture, at the Kalinga Stadium, on February 10. The Punjab-based outfit is currently ninth in the table with 23 points from 18 matches and will be up against the playoff contenders who are currently seventh with 25 points from 19 outings. A positive result in this game would help Punjab FC leap to seventh position, just two points below Bengaluru FC who hold the final playoff spot.
“Everybody knows that it’s a crucial game, everybody knows that we have six matches, which will be like six finals and we are all focused to the demands of this game. It’s a really an important game. If we want to qualify for the next round we have to get points from tomorrow’s match and it is going to be a huge step if we get a win,” said Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis.
In their last outing, Punjab FC went down 3-0 to league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant, despite of a valiant first half performance at Kolkata.
The Odisha FC had also faced a 1-2 defeat against Goa FC in their last fixture. Punjab will be bolstered with the return of Nikhil Prabhu who missed the match against Mohun Bagan due to injury. The midfielder has been in fine form this season and has been instrumental in breaking down the opponent’s attacks with 48 interceptions, the highest in the league.
Wing back, Tekcham Abhishek Singh has also been brilliant throughout the season, having already been awarded the Player of the Match three times. The attack line of Luka Majcen, Ezequiel Pulga Vidal, Filip Mrzljak and Asmir Suljic have contributed 20 out of the 26 goals this season, with Luka top scoring with seven.
“We all know the importance of tomorrow’s match. It will be a forward step for us to go into the top six after a win against a good side. Everybody is aware of the situation now and we are more focused for this game to go into the top six. The mentality of the team is same in every match, we have to play to win,” said Punjab FC custodian Ravi Kumar.
Odisha FC have only won one match in their last five fixtures and Sergio Lobera would look for a positive result to remain in contention for a playoff position. They will miss the services of their talismanic midfielder Ahmed Jahouh who was sent off in the last fixture against Goa FC.
In the reverse fixture at the start of the season in New Delhi, Punjab FC got the better of Odisha FC 2-1 with the help of goals from Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine.
