Two unpredicted group winners, Odisha FC and NorthEast United meet in the second semifinal of the Hero Super Cup 2023 at Manjeri. The winners of the tie will face Bengaluru FC in the final.
OFC vs NEUFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 21 April 2023
Time: 19:00 (IST)
Venue: Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri
OFC vs NEUFC Match Preview
Odisha FC were not the favorites to top Group B paired with 2021/22 ISL winners Hyderabad FC, Kolkata giants East Bengal and former I-League champions Aizawl FC. The Juggernauts were tipped to finish as runners-up in the group but they did more than that. Defeating Hyderabad FC 2-1 in the final game, coming from behind to score the winner through Victor Rodriguez, made them group winners and settle a place in the semifinals. They opened the campaign with a draw against the Red and Golds then went to thrash the mountainous club 3-0. Rodriguez, Nandha Kumar and Diego Mauricio were the main architects for the six goals scored in the competition with each scoring twice. As heads coach Clifford Miranda said only a few gave them chance to be at this stage, Odisha FC will be doing everything to reach the final that will give them a possibility of AFC Cup group stage qualification. It will be a huge achievement for the club eliminated in the first ISL playoff game as they face an equally ambitious NorthEast United team in the last four.
The Highlanders are the most unlikely side in the semifinals and probably the team of surprises in the competition. In a group with ISL heavyweights Chennaiyin FC and Shield Winners Mumbai City FC alongside a robust Churchill Brothers from the I-League, it was a more difficult job for NorthEast United to finish at the top of the group. Finishing at the bottom of the pile in the ISL and then losing the Super Cup opener 4-2 to Chennaiyin FC, everything was pointing at one conclusion. Yet there was a complete turnaround by upsetting an all-Indian Mumbai City FC team and then grabbing a 6-3 thrilling win over Churchill Brothers in the last group game. With the Islanders beating Chennaiyin in the other game, NorthEast’s faith to be in the final four of the competition was sealed. Now, the Highlanders could touch the final if they pull off another miracle against Odisha FC. Managed by Floyd Pinto, it will be an exciting battle between two Indian coaches as well with one getting the ticket to the showpiece on 25th March 2023.
Recent Form (Super Cup)
OFC: WWD
NEUFC: WWL
OFC vs NEUFC Predicted Lineups
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Omar Malik, Denechandra Meitei; Thoiba Moirangthem, Princeton Rebello, Victor Rodriguez; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nadha Kumar Sekar
NEUFC: Mirshad Michu; Joe Zoherliana, Alisher Kholmurodov, Mashoor Thangalakath, Tondonba Singh; Rochharzela, Joseiba Beitia, Gani Nigam, Emil Benny; Romain Philippoteaux, Wilmar Jordan
OFC vs NEUFC Head to head
OFC won - 9
Drawn - 5
NEUFC won - 5
(In all competitions)
OFC vs NEUFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Michu (8.5)
DEF: D Meitei (8), Gahlot (8.5), Delgado (8)
MID: Rochharzela (8), V Rodriguez (9), Benny (8), Sekar (9)
FW: Philippoteaux (9), Jordan (9), Mauricio (9)
Vice-captain: Wilmar Jordan or Diego Mauricio
Captain: Victor Rodriguez
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
