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After two long years of Indian Super League within the bio-bubble, the footballing action is finally back to its original format. The Men of Steel will finally come back home to a fully-packed JRD Tata Sports Complex to kick off another action-packed season. They will be playing their season opener against Odisha FC today at 7:30pm.
With 43 points at the end of the league stage, Jamshedpur FC enjoyed a fantastic season in the previous year. Jamshedpur FC maintained a steady performance all season and was a dominant force throughout. No club conceded fewer goals than the Men of Steel in the league as they lifted the ISL League Shield to write history and add the club’s first silverware to their trophy cabinet.
On the other side, Odisha FC ended the previous season seventh on the league table with 23 points. But this season, the Kalinga Warriors will have a massive boost to their attacking front with Diego Mauricio’s return to the club. Spanish coach Josep Gombau, who served as their head coach during the 2019–2020 season also makes his comeback to the club as he takes over charge once more.
After former head coach Owen Coyle stepped down from the Head Coach position, Jamshedpur FC has also seen a new boss in town, Aidy Boothroyd. The English manager who has previously been in charge of the junior squads of England makes his debut in the ISL.
When asked about his thoughts on being in charge of the first game as the Head Coach of Jamshedpur FC, he stated “My overriding feeling about the first game is excitement. We’ve waited for this for a very long time and now that it’s finally time to get back in action in front of the passionate fans, we’re all very excited and looking forward to the game.”
In the previous six meetings between the two teams in the ISL, Jamshedpur FC has been the dominant side in the majority of them as they have walked out victorious in four of them. However, Odisha won on one of the occasions, and one of the six ended in a draw. The last two matches that they played in the previous season, were both won by Jamshedpur FC with a 4-0 win and a 5-1 dominant victory, respectively.
Now, with the fans back in the stands with undying energy, the atmosphere will be electrifying at the Furnace as the fans will celebrate the homecoming of the League shield winners, Jamshedpur FC. The Men of Steel are stepping into this season as the title defenders and will put forth every effort to make sure they retain the coveted silverware that the club achieved in the previous season. On the other hand, the Juggernauts will aim to kick start their season on a high note with a win in the season opener while the Jamshedpur squad focus on sending their fans back home with a smile on their faces with a home victory.
