Kolkata: Odisha FC has already created history, and the 11th season of India's premier club football championship kicks off in nine days. Not their men, who had an amazing season last year, according to coach Sergio Lobera, but their women's squad, who will play in the first AFC Women's Champions League main phase next month. After defeating Jordan's Etihad FC and Singapore's Lions City Sailors in Zarqa, Odisha FC earned a spot at the top table of continental football. During the Indian Super League (ISL) media day held here on Wednesday, Carlos Delgado, defender for the men's squad of Odisha FC, stated, "We will support them." "They performed a fantastic job. India's football team's advancement to the main round is significant.
Sergio Lobera also praised the accomplishments of the team led by coach Crispin Chhetri. According to head coach of the men's squad Lobera, "Such things inspire the rest of the family. Hugo Boumous scored two goals to help the men's team defeat Brisbane Roar 2-1 in the semi-final to go to the 2024 Bandodkar Trophy final. Boumous, who signed after being benched by Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the second part of the previous season, is, in Lobera's opinion, the finest offensive midfielder in the league among all the players. Odisha FC, who qualified for and lost to the 2023–24 ISL semifinal against Mohun Bagan Super Giant via a goal in the 90+3 minute, is unique, according to Lobera, because they are not one of those teams that always seems to be “under compulsion to win.” They played their first Super Cup final in January.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the current league shield champions, will be one of them; Lobera did not provide a name. In the Asian Champions League II this season, Mohun Bagan will likewise be the sole representative of India. They are in Group A with FC Ravshan of Tajikistan, Iran's Tractor FC, and Qatar's Al-Wakrah FC.
Five days after their ISL debut against Mumbai City FC, Mohun Bagan kick off their home opener against Ravshan on September 18. A side can play up to four foreigners in the ISL, but in Asia, that number is unrestricted. However, Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina stated it wouldn't be an issue.
