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Bhubaneswar: Football fans in the Temple City are all set to enjoy some superb football action this Sunday. Jamshedpur FC has adopted Kalinga Stadium as its home venue for the 83rd league game of the fourth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) against Bengaluru FC.
Bengaluru FC arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar yesterday while the Jamshedpur side has been in the city since 19 February after their 1-1 draw in Chennai.
Steve Coppell’s men have been practicing since February 20 and were also seen enjoying some sightseeing in and around Bhubaneswar. Jamshedpur FC is at fourth place with 26 points from 16 league matches and are ahead by just one point from Kerala Blasters who are at fifth position in the points table. So far in ISL 2017-18, Jamshedpur FC has won seven games while drawing five games and losing four.
International goalkeeper Subrata Paul of India will be a player to watch out for in the Jamshedpur side and with huge experience under his belt he would try to keep his alive in the tournament.
"I hope the crowd will make it a good home game for us. Pitch looks absolutely fine and kudos to the work done by the organisers. My team has to play good football tomorrow to get the better of Bengaluru which is playing extremely well. We will try our very best to win the game as we have been doing for last three to four games," said Jamshedpur FC coach, Steve Coppell.
Led by Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri, Bengaluru FC looks very strong on paper with a power packed Indian contingent of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh, defender Harmonjot Khabra and forward Udanta Singh.
With 34 points from 16 matches, the Bengaluru side has already qualified for the playoffs and have nothing to lose. They can look forward to some changes in their side after their 1-1 draw against FC Pune City. In 16 games so far, Bengaluru has won 11 and lost 4 while one game ended in a draw.
Speaking to media, Bengaluru FC coach Albert Rocca said, "We are going to play against one of the toughest teams in the league tomorrow and we know that. Despite qualifying for the next stage we still want to finish at the top of the table."
The Albert Rocca-coached side won the Federation Cup football tournament held in Cuttack last year by defeating Mohun Bagan 2-0.
When asked about the memories of Federation Cup, Rocca replied "It was much hotter during May last year but the climate is fine for tomorrow's game."
Earlier in the tournament, Jamshedpur FC defeated Bengaluru FC 1-0 in their away game at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on 21 December.
Bhubaneswar is hosting an ISL match for the very first time and elaborate arrangements have been made for this game by the ISL officials and the Odisha Sports and Youth Affairs department.
This game is expected to be as successful as the major athletics and hockey competitions organised in the state capital last year and will put Bhubaneswar in the international football map.
