Odisha FC 2019 | Detailed Squad | Schedule | Owners | Coach

Odisha FC Here is all you need to know about Odisha FC…

If there has to be a state where hockey has been absolutely vibrant then it has to be Odisha. Odisha, in the last few years, has been a host to top events which find place in various Olympic disciplines.

The state capital Bhubaneswar successfully hosted the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup as well. Definitely, there is a flavour for sports in the state which gives immense hope to the Odisha FC to create a successful ecosystem for the club as well as for the fans.

Odisha FC, one of the newest additions to the ISL this season, is nothing but Delhi Dynamos rebranded. And relocated. This happened after the club owners of (the then) Delhi Dynamos signed a long-term agreement with Odisha state government’s Sports and Youth Services department.

In a chat with Sportstar, club director Rohan Sharma revealed that the lack of infrastructure and revenue to run the club were the major reasons for this change of base.

Logo

The iconic Sun temple of Konark is built in the form of a chariot and has 24 wheels designed inf the form of chakras. The chakra in the logo takes its inspiration from the Sun temple. Chakra symbolises movement and development and the club strive to achieve the symbolism in performance.

GMS, the club’s parent company, is the world’s largest buyer of ships and offshore assets. The ship in the logo is a representation of the company.

Home Ground: Odisha FC

The club will play its home matches in Kalinga stadium, Bhubaneswar. Kalinga stadium is a multipurpose stadium established in 1978. In the past few years, the club has been the host to several high-profile sporting events viz. Men’s Hockey World League finals, the AIFF 4-nations Women’s Hero Gold Cup, etc.

Capacity: 15,000

There is a visible similarity int the core teams of Delhi Dynamos (in 2018-19) and Odisha FC. Despite of all the changes, Odisha FC shares an integral history with the Delhi Dynamos FC which can’t be neglected. Here is a look at the journey of Delhi Dynamos FC from season 1.

Odisha FC Players 2019

Journey through the seasons

ISL 2014

The team signed Harm Veldhoven, a Dutch-Belgian football manager as the Head Coach.

The team signed Alessandro Del Piero, a former Italian national player and also a former Juventus player as the marquee player for the club.

The season was not so eventful for the Dynamos as they failed to qualify for the final four. The team ended up at 5^th position in the points table.

Top goal scorer for the team: Gustavo Marmentini (5)

Most assists for the team: Francis Fernandes (3)

Final result: 5^th position in the points table

ISL 2015

Roberto Carlos, a former Brazilian professional footballer, was appointed as the head coach of the Dynamos. Interestingly, he was also the marquee player for the team in that season. Carlos, donned multiple responsibilities.

The team’s exemplary performances in the league matches helped them qualify for their first semi-finals at the ISL. The team went down to FC Goa on a 1-3 aggregate at the end of two-legged semi-final.

Final result: Semi-finalists (4^th position in points table)

Most assists for the team: Florent Malouda (8)

ISL 2016

Gianluca Zambrotta, former Italian star footballer, was roped in as the head coach. Zambrotta has also made appearances from FC Barcelona apart from many other clubs.

Florent Johan Malouda was signed as the marquee player for the season. Malouda, a French football player, was a part of the Chelsea squad which won the UEFA Champions League in 2012.

The team displayed a similar performance as the last season securing third position in the points table. In the semi-finals, the team lost to Kerala Blasters on penalties (3-0) after the aggregate score read 2-2 at the end of second leg of semi-final.

Final Result: Semi-finalists (3^rd position in points table)

Top scorer for the team: Marcelinho Pereria (10) – he was also the top scorer of the tournament

Most assists for the team: Marcelinho Pereria (4) and Richard Gadze (4)

ISL 2017-18

Miguel Angel Portugal Vicario was appointed as the head coach of the team for its fourth season at Indian Super League. Vicario is a Spanish football player who also played for Real Madrid.

The season turned out be disastrous for the Delhi Dynamos FC. With 10 losses in 18 games, the team ended up eighth in the points table, their worst in the history of the club.

Final result:  8^th position in points table

Top scorer for the team: Kalu Uche (13)

ISL 2018-19

Josep Gombau Balague was appointed as the head coach of the team. Balague is a former Spanish football manager. He was also the coach of FC Barcelona youth team.

If there were any hopes of Dynamos rectifying their previous season performances, they ended up replicating the same performance. The team again finished at eight position in the points table.

Final result:  8^th position in points table

ISL 2019-2020

As we have seen Delhi Dynamos FC has been rebranded as Odisha FC and hence this season will be Odisha FC’s first venture at the Hero ISL. The team kicks off otes debut season against Jamshedpur FC on 22nd October, 2019.

Coach

Josep Gombau, who was Delhi Dynamo’s coach last season has been roped in as head coach of Odisha FC. Gombau, is a Spanish manager who was also the coach of FC Barcelona youth team.

Head Coach:

"Now, we start a new journey. I think something good is in store here because I know a lot of the players. We have a good squad. All the signings have been done to increase the level of the team. We are excited & want to go out & do the job."#OdishaFC #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/WH9ZVWClcn

— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) October 22, 2019

Captain

Marcos Tebar will be captaining the side in their first appearance at the Hero Indian Super League. Marcos is the product of La Fabrica, Real Madrid’s youth academy. He has also made one appearance from the Spanish footballing giant Real Madrid.

Owners of Odisha FC

The club is owned by Anil Sharma who is the president and CEO of GMS. GMS is the world’s largest buyer of ships and offshore assets.

“It hurts for me to move Delhi Dynamos FC away from the city of Delhi, but certain hard decisions had to be taken. I had a vision for the development of football in the country. And my vision has always made me strive for better. I feel the state of Odisha shares the same vision with me,” Anil Sharma in a statement to Hindustan Times

Sponsors and partners

Odisha FC Schedule 2019

Here’s Odisha Fc’s complete schedule for ISL 2019 (All matches held at 7:30 pm (IST)):