A high-on-confidence Odisha FC will look to continue their form when they take on Gokulam Kerala at EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday, in a playoff for a berth in the group stage of 2023-24 AFC Cup.
The side from Kerala has qualified for the playoffs by virtue of winning 2021-22 I-League while Odisha FC secured the chance on the back of their Super Cup triumph earlier this week.
For Kalinga Warriors, the game will be a chance to put an icing on the cake. Finishing India Super League on sixth spot - their first playoff at the top-tier – the Juggernauts secured the club's first-ever silverware when they beat Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the Super Cup final.
A victory against Gokulam will guarantee Odisha their first-ever shot at continental competition. However, for that to happen they need to stay grounded. Emphasizing on their current objective, Odisha coach Clifford Miranda said at the pre match press conference, "Yes, we won Super Cup, but that was in the past. The players recognise that and I recognise that. We start again, from zero. What happened over the past few weeks won't matter once we step on to the pitch. We start all over again."
Eyeing only a win to cap the club's best season so far, the former India international said on Friday, "We won't change our way of playing, and while I'm not going to reveal my team, I will say that we will play the strongest team available in the hope to walk out with a win."
For the hosts, the one-off tie will be an opportunity to end the season on a high. "It's a great opportunity to finish the season with positive feelings," Gokulam coach Francesc Bonet said ahead of the game.
"Not everyone gets that, and it will be a tough match, of course. But we are ready to compete. We have a lot of experienced as well as young players who are keen to put on a good performance to cap off all their hard work. Let's see if we can channel all that into a good result."
