17:52 hrs IST: Good evening and welcome to Outlook's live coverage of tonight's 2019-20 Indian Super League clash between Odisha FC Vs Hyderabad FC, at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium. Can the lowly-placed teams finally begin their campaign?
Both sides haven't found their feed in the ongoing ISL season, with Odisha FC stuck at seventh position, with six points. Meanwhile, Hyderabad are last in the ten-team table, with four points. Both sides have played seven matches until now. Also, both teams have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, scoring only two goals in their last four fixtures.
Ahead of the match, Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau discussed about his tactical style, bordered around a pragmatic approach, which has seen his team only notch one point in their last four matches.
Also, the home side's conversion rate has been poor, considered the huge amount of chances created.
"Tomorrow is a crucial match. It is a massive game for us. It’s all or nothing. We are with a chance to get to nine points and we are close to fighting for the play-offs as well. It is important to take this mentality and not add pressure on yourselves," he said.
Hyderabad FC will be aiming to bounce back from the recent 1-0 defeat Vs FC Goa. Also, the side will be without talisman Marcelinho, due to suspension. Ahead of the match, head coach Phil Brown spoke about Odisha FC and said that his team can overturn their recent run of form.
"We respect Odisha, their coach and players, but we are just round the corner from a good run. As a coach, it's my responsibility to make sure that players don't get frustrated with results because of the way we play but I don't think they are [frustrated]," he said.
"Odisha enjoy keeping possession in their games but possession doesn't necessarily win you games, taking the opportunities certainly does and that's what we will be trying to do tomorrow (Wednesday) night," he added.