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ISL 2022-23, Odisha FC Team Preview: Squad, Fixtures, Key Players, Strength, Weakness, Predictions
Bengaluru, October 4: Odisha FC will kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 campaign against last season's league shield winners Jamshedpur FC on October 11 at the JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur.
Odisha FC, formerly known as Delhi Dynamos till the 2018-19 season, was renamed after they changed base to Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Their first home fixture of the new season will be against last season's finalists Kerala Blasters on October 23.
The Kalinga Warriors, who finished seventh in ISL 2021-22 season, will look to carry on their form from the recently concluded Durand Cup, where they reached the quarterfinal, scoring freely in the group stages.
In the previous season under the guidance of Kiko Ramirez, Odisha FC won 6, lost 9 and drew 5 for 23 points, leading to three positions and 11 points behind a playoff or knockout spot, which they have managed only in season 2 and 3 when they were called Delhi Dynamos.
Heading into the new season, the Kalinga Warriors have made a lot of changes from the coaching staff to the playing personnel, bringing back former head coach Josep Gombau along with former centre back Carlos Delgado, former striker Diego Mauricio and also seasoned goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
Now, ahead of the ISL season 9, myKhel takes a look at the SWOT, squad, fixtures and prediction for Odisha FC:
Odisha FC Strengths
The arrival of nearly a new squad would have often led to issues, but Odisha FC have shown the opposite with their performance in the Durand Cup.
With the likes of Diego Mauricio, Pedro Martin, Carlos Delgado to go along with the Indian players like Michael Soosairaj, Raynier Fernandes and Amrinder Singh provides a welcome boost to the side that seemed to struggle in both ends of the pitch.
Plus, Gombau also knows the club very well, having spent two seasons in the ISL before moving to Spain for a small stint.
Odisha FC Weakness
Odisha FC's biggest weakness last season was their defence, which conceded 43 goals, the joint worst with eleventh-placed NorthEast United. They also struggled to create chances last season, scoring just 31 goals, the sixth best. However, both areas have been addressed with the new signings.
Odisha FC Squad 2022-23
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Niraj Kumar
Defenders: Carlos Delgado, Narendar Gahlot, Shubham Sarangi, Lalruathhara, Sahil Panwar, Denechandra Meitei, Nikhil Prabhu, Lalhrezuala Sailung, Deven Sawhney, Rishabh Dobriyal, Sebastian Thangmuansang
Midfielders: Osama Malik, Saul Crespo, Victor Rodriguez, Raynier Fernandes, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Thoiba Singh, Paul Ramfangzuava
Forwards: Diego Mauricio, Pedro Martin, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Nandhakumar Sekar, Michael Soosairaj, Akshunna Tyagi, Isak Vanlalruatfela, CVL Remtluanga
Odisha FC Key Players 2022-23
Amrinder Singh: The experienced shot-stopper comes in to shore up the backline along with the likes of Carlos Delgado and Nikhil Prabhu. The former ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper registered 6 cleansheets last season, the joint second best in the league. He also won the golden glove in the 2016 season, when he was on-loan at Mumbai City FC.
Diego Mauricio: The striker returns after a year away at Mumbai City FC, where he scored just 3 goals in 7 appearances. But he will be in familiar territory with Odisha for whom he had scored 11 goals in the 2020-21 season. He will be key to cover goals scored by both Jonathas and Javier Garcia, the pair who left the club.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga: The diminutive Indian forward scored three goals last season, but could add more to his tally this season with more playing time possible with many in his position leaving the club in the close season. He is also known for creating chances and has showcased his ability in the past seasons as well as in the Durand Cup 2022.
Odisha FC 2022-23 Fixtures
| Date | Versus | Venue | Kick Off Time |
| October 11 | Jamshedpur FC | Jamshedpur | 7:30 PM IST |
| October 15 | Mumbai City FC | Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| October 23 | Kerala Blasters FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| October 27 | Bengaluru FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| November 5 | Hyderabad FC | Hyderabad | 5:30 PM IST |
| November 18 | Emami East Bengal | Kolkata | 7:30 PM IST |
| November 24 | Chennaiyin FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| December 2 | NorthEast United FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| December 10 | FC Goa | Goa | 5:30 PM IST |
| December 15 | ATK Mohun Bagan | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| December 26 | Kerala Blasters FC | Kochi | 7:30 PM IST |
| January 2 | Mumbai City FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| January 7 | Emami East Bengal | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| January 14 | Bengaluru FC | Bengaluru | 5:30 PM IST |
| January 28 | ATK Mohun Bagan | Kolkata | 7:30 PM IST |
| February 2 | Chennaiyin FC | Chennai | 7:30 PM IST |
| February 6 | FC Goa | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| February 10 | Hyderabad FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
| February 17 | NorthEast United FC | Guwahati | 7:30 PM IST |
| February 22 | Jamshedpur FC | Bhubaneswar | 7:30 PM IST |
Odisha FC 2022-23 Season Prediction
With the addition of the experience and the return of familiar faces, including coach Gombau, Odisha may be up there challenging for a playoff spot, but it may all depend on how they start the season and how the defence performs especially with an almost new squad.
Story first published: Thursday, October 6, 2022, 13:51 [IST]
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