New South Wales: The Odisha FC is set to pause its Indian Super League (ISL) campaign and head to Australia for a high-stakes clash against Central Coast Mariners FC in the AFC Cup 2023-24 Inter-Zonal Semi-Final. The pivotal encounter is scheduled to take place on March 7, at Central Coast Stadium, Australia, with kick-off at 1:30 PM IST.
The Kalinga Warriors have proven their mettle in the AFC Cup group stage, overcoming initial setbacks and securing notable victories. Their journey includes a stunning 5-2 upset against Mohun Bagan Super Giant and a crucial 1-0 win against Bashundhara Kings, earning them a well-deserved spot in the inter-zonal semi-final round.
Despite the odds, Central Coast Mariners head into the first leg as favorites, enjoying the advantage of playing on home turf. Their recent triumph over Macarthur FC with a scoreline of 3-2 has crowned them ASEAN Zone champions, signaling top form. However, the pressure is on the Mariners to capitalize on their home advantage in the initial leg.
The semi-final will unfold in two legs, with the return match set for March 14 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
In a pre-match press conference held in Australia on Wednesday, Odisha FC’s Assistant Coach Floyd Pinto and player Roy Krishna shared their thoughts.
Coach Floyd Pinto expressed the team’s satisfaction with the breakthrough season, stating, “It’s a pleasure to be working under Sergio. Despite not being expected to get out of the group, we made it to the AFC quarter-finals. Everything else is in the background. It’s a very good work environment.”
Player Roy Krishna acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “It’s going to be tough. They have very young talented players, and they’re in the top two of the table for a reason. But at the same time, we’re going to have our fans. It’s going to be an exciting match, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
The match will be broadcasted in India on Sports 18 Network and streamed live on FanCode. Additionally, fans can catch the action on 10Play.
As the football fever builds up, both teams are gearing up for a thrilling clash that could shape their journey in the prestigious AFC Cup.