Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera lauded the collective teamwork after a 1-1 draw against Punjab FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar in the ongoing Indian Super League on Monday. The Kalinga Warriors suffered a huge blow as Rahul KP was sent off in the first half.

Petros Giakoumakis scored in stoppage time of the first half to give the Shers the lead. However, the home team equalized as Isak Vanlalruatfela found the back of the net in the 51st minute. 

The Spaniard coach admitted it was not easy for them to play with 10 men for more than 45 minutes but he was glad to take out a point.

“The game plan changed after (talking in the break) with the players, but the mentality didn’t change. I think the players showed up till the end of the game we wanted to win the game. We are even not happy with the draw, playing with 10 players. It’s impossible as a coach to ask more of my players today because I think the collective spirit, the hard work, the belief till the end, fighting till the end…I think it was very good for my players. I want to congratulate them because finally, they showed ambition, they have the collective spirit, the teamwork,” Sergio Lobera said in the post-match press conference.

“I think I need to watch the game again, but my feeling is maybe we deserved more in the second half, knowing they had also chances. But my players did an amazing job and I’m very proud of them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Odisha FC was missing key players such as Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall due to suspensions. In their absence, Lobera decided to start with Rohit Kumar and Carlos Delgado against Punjab FC.

“This is part of football. There are injuries, there are suspensions, but what we need to analyse is what is in our hands. What is in our hands and we can improve, we need to work on that…There are some situations they are not under our control and it’s so difficult to work against this,” he said.

Odisha FC will next take on Hyderabad FC on February 14.