Odisha FC secured a 6-5 win over SC East Bengal in match 108 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday. The Bhubaneswar-based club scored five goals in the second period after they were trailing at the end of the first half.

Interim head coach Steven Dias was happy with the performance of his team following their 6-1 loss to Mumbai City FC on Wednesday.  “It was a very entertaining game but personally, it was too much pressure for me. When I spoke to the boys, they said that they are with me and they showed that they could do it. So, I am very happy,” Dias said at the post-match press conference.

Odisha FC fielded a number of their younger talents and were rewarded with a goal for S Lalhrezuala and braces for Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Paul Ramfangzauva. While sharing his thoughts on their progress, Dias said: “When we started this club, the owner’s idea was to get young players, work on them and give them chances. In the training sessions also they give their best. Throughout the season they didn't get a chance, but they were working hard on the training ground. I felt this was the best chance to give these players.”

Vinit Rai was made the skipper of the team in Steven Taylor’s absence and Dias is confident that the Indian midfielder can be a future captain at the club. “Vinit is a senior player and he has that leadership quality. I thought about giving him the captaincy because he has that quality. He has a good bonding with the team. I think he can be a good captain with this club,” he said.

Watch Steven Dias' Post-Match Press conference here:

Meanwhile, SC East Bengal head coach Robbie Fowler was disappointed with the final result given his team’s one-goal advantage at half-time. “In the first half, I could see us winning. But in the second half, we conceded two goals which put us on the back foot for a little bit. It was hard to take. Every time they attacked, they seemed to score,” Fowler said after the game.

“Defensively, we weren't good enough. Concentration levels have let us down again, but we have to take this result and soldier on. This is a league where anyone can be beaten and this season has proven that many times. Five games ago, we were still in the hunt for the top four. But our concentration levels and our poor starts to the second halves have cost us again,” he added.

SC East Bengal finished ninth on the league table in their debut Hero ISL campaign, but Fowler is confident about them being stronger next season. “With the right recruitment and the right amount of time on the training pitch to get my ideas to the players on the way we want to play, we can do well. We had not had enough time for preparation [this season]. We haven't played how we have wanted to. We have lacked a little bit of fitness,” he said.

Watch Robbie Fowler's Post-Match Press conference here: