ISL 2022-23: Odisha FC ISL 2022-23 LIVE – Odisha FC will enter the ninth edition of the Indian Super League with fan favourite coach Josep Gombau returning. The recently concluded Durand Cup provided a good indication of Odisha FC’s strength. The Kalinga Warriors went undefeated in the group stages before falling to Bengaluru FC in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Follow Indian Super League and ISL 2022-23 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
Odisha FC faltered after a strong start, finishing in seventh place last season. Odisha only managed six wins and five draws in the entire season, totaling 23 points. Josep Gombau returned to Odisha FC as head coach after working with them as the Delhi Dynamos in 2019. However, he was appointed as the club’s sporting director after Odisha FC hired David Villa as its head of global operations. Gombau was a member of Villa’s talented DV7 team.
All roads lead to our Hero ISL 2022-23 opener against Jamshedpur FC 😤💪🏻#OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/bg4Naq6RtQ
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) September 21, 2022
With Gombau’s return, the team was completely re-evaluated, as they completely changed their foreign contingent, bringing back defender Carlos Delgado. They also brought in Saul Crespo and Pedro Martin, who have been very incredible in the Durand Cup. Victor Rodriguez and Osama Malik, on the other hand, have yet to prove their worth.
Odisha FC has one of the tournament’s strongest Indian contingents. Although the departure of Vinit Rai appears to be a significant event given that he was named captain last season. Odisha, on the other hand, brought in agile and capable Indian nationals such as Jerrymawaia, Isaac, Narender Gahlot, and Raynier Fernandez. They did, however, achieve a major coup when they signed Amrinder Singh on a free transfer from ATK Mohun Bagan.
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
Having said that here are five players who need to be watched ou as Odisha FC eye the trophy this year:
Lalthuammawia Ralte
Odisha signed Ralte to a two-year contract in July 2022. The 29-year-old has played in both the ISL and the I-League. Starting with Shillong Lajong, he was a part of the Bengaluru FC setup, but he didn’t get any game time due to Indian Nation team custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s presence. He has also played for Kerala Blasters and East Bengal FC.
On August 17, he made his debut for Odisha FC in a 6-0 win over NorthEast United in the Durand Cup. He contributed to Nandha Kumar’s second goal. This season, he performed admirably in the Durand Cup, conceding no goals in the group stage. Ralte made a huge mistake in the dying minutes of the Durand Cup quarter-finals and must regain his poise and ability to perform under pressure.
Carlos Delgado
After two seasons away, the 32-year-old Spanish defender is returning to his former club Odisha FC. He played for the team in the 2019-20 season. Delgado, a Malaga CF youth academy product, made his professional debut for the club’s B team more than a decade ago.
After playing for the reserves of Real Valladolid, UD Almeria, and Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the center-back joined Valencia B in 2012. Delgado began his career with the B team before making his senior debut for the club in a UEFA Champions League match against Lille. He was most recently with Castellon in Spain’s third division before joining Odisha FC.
The defender is expected to play a key role in the club’s revitalised efforts to finish higher in the table. Josep Gombau’s defensive unit relies heavily on the former Real Valladolid B and Valencia B defender. Delgado played in 16 games for the ISL club previously and scored once. Carlos had 635 passes combined with 837 touches and a staggering passing accuracy of 86.45 percent, averaging 39.69 passes per game.
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
Saul Crespo
Odisha FC has signed Spanish defensive midfielder Saul Crespo to a one-year contract for the ISL’s ninth season. Crespo, 25, made 119appearances for his parent club Ponferradina, appearing in 55 La Liga 2 matches and 9 Copa Del Rey matches. Crespo made his senior debut for Ponferradina in September 2015, and his professional debut for Yuri de Souza in August 2019.
The club signed the Spanish defensive midfielder to shore up their defence and break up opposing counter-attacks. The departure of Vinit Rai to fellow ISL club Mumbai City FC created a need for a player who could screen the backline.
Saul is a good fit for the role and will bring his skills and expertise set to the Juggernauts, as well as a mindset that will help the club move up the table in the 2022-23 season. The addition of the former Ponferradina midfielder to the Juggernauts’ squad will give their attacking players more freedom to seek out spaces in the opposing half. Crespo have already managed 3 goals in five appearances for the club in Durand Cup.
Shubham Sarangi
In 2017-18, he was signed by Delhi Dynamos FC and sent to the Aspire Academy, a leading international academy based in Doha, for five and a half months of youth development and training. In his return, he played as a right back for the Delhi Dynamos in the 2018-19 season.
Before in the 2019-20 season, Delhi Dynamos FC was renamed Odisha FC. Shubham made 17 appearances for Odisha FC in their inaugural season. Shubham Sarangi has returned from injury and will look to make his mark in the ISL. He was a favourite starter in the Durand Cup and delivered some delightful crosses. He has ISL experience of over 30 games and would be a valuable addition to Odisha FC’s setup.
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
Diego Mauricio
Mauricio, like Delgado, is returning to his former club. In the seventh edition of ISL, Diego Mauricio played for Odisha FC under Stuart Baxter. He was later signed by fellow ISL club Mumbai City FC, where he played an important role under Des Buckingham. However, he only appeared in seven games, scoring three goals. The Brazilian forward was instrumental in Mumbai City FC’s AFC Champions League debut. Diego’s presence inside the box has had an impact on his team’s chances of scoring.
Diego scored 12 goals in 20 appearances with Odisha FC previously. His ability to create scoring chances and drop deep are qualities that could help Gombau’s team this season. This year, he will have to compete with Pedro, who has a strong game. Diego, on the other hand, has ISL experience and is expected to be the preferred starter.
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
Odisha FC boasts of a huge squad depth and can produce impressive results in an array of combinations. Hence, we at InsideSports.IN chose how the Kalinga Warriors should line up to produce the best results.
Lalthuammawia Ralte (Goal Keeper), Shubham Sarangi, Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar, Osama Malik, Saul Crespo, Raynier Fernandes, Nandhakumar, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio.
ISL 2022-23: From Carlos Delgado to Shubham Sarangi, FIVE players to watch out for as Josep Gombau’s Odisha FC are en route REDEMPTION – Check Out
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Editors pick
