Wikipedia

Odisha FC Women

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Odisha FC.
Not to be confused with Odisha women's football team.

Odisha Football Club Women ([oɽiˈsa] ⓘ) is an Indian professional women's football club based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, that competes in the Indian Women's League, the top flight of Indian women's football.[4][5] Odisha FC Women were founded in 2022, when the Indian Super League side Odisha FC announced the formation of their women's side.[6][7]

Odisha Women
Full nameOdisha Football Club Women
Nickname(s)The Kalinga Warriors
The Juggernauts
Short nameOFCW
Founded1 July 2022; 2 years ago (2022-07-01)
GroundKalinga Stadium
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Capacity15,000[1]
OwnerGMS Inc.[2]
PresidentRaj Athwal[3]
Head CoachCrispin Chettri
LeagueIndian Women's League
2023–24IWL, 1st of 7
Websitehttp://www.odishafc.com

History

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With an aim to have a professional women’s team from Odisha, one of the major hotbeds of Indian women’s football, Odisha FC club brought in an experienced football administrator, Randeep Baruah, as their Head of Academy & Women’s Football, to structure the women's football department. In 2022, on the holy occasion of Ratha Yatra, the Indian Super League (ISL) club Odisha FC announced the launch of their senior women's team. On the same day, the club announced the appointment of AFC A-Licensed coach and former player, Crispin Chettri, as team's first Head Coach.[6][8][9][10]

Odisha FC Women kicked-off their professional football journey with participating in the 2022–23 Odisha Women's League, the top division women's football league of Odisha. Odisha played their first ever match on 27 November 2022, with a 1–0 win against East Coast Railway at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The club went on to win their first regional siverware with winning the Odisha Women's League title with a perfect record of with 10 wins from 10 games, to qualify for the 2022–23 Indian Women's League. Pyari Xaxa ended up as the top scorer for the side with 11 goals in 10 games.[11][12]

In the 2022-23 Indian Women's League season, Odisha finished third in the group stage of the competition, qualifying for the knockout stage with a total of 16 points with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Odisha faced defending champions Gokulam Kerala in the quarter-finals, which ended up 1-1 at the end of regular time, however, Odisha 3-0 on penalties, bowing out of the league. Despite ending up on the losing side in the quarter-final, Odisha directly qualified for the 2023–24 Indian Women's League season, as direct qualification was awarded to teams which qualified for the knockout round and finished in the top eight positions in the 2022–23 season.[13][14]

In their second year since inception, Odisha won their first-ever national division silverware with winning the 2023–24 Indian Women's League title. Odisha ended up with 31 points from 12 games, qualifying for the 2024–25 AFC Women's Champions League, Asia's premier club women's football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). FIFA also congratulated the Odisha FC Women side for their outstanding performance in the Indian Women's League, crowning them as the Champions of India.[15][16][17][18]

Club crest and kits

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Crest

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The wheel engraved on the walls of the Konark Sun Temple. The temple is designed as a chariot consisting of 24 such wheels. Each wheel has a diameter of 9 feet, 9 inches, with 8 spokes.

On 15 September 2019, Odisha unveiled their official logo embodying the heritage and the culture of the state of Odisha and the vision and the ideology of its parent company, GMS Inc.[19] The design for the crest is inspired from the Chakras or the chariot wheels of the famous Konark Sun Temple, a World Heritage Site in Odisha which represents movement and development; the ship design represents GMS, the world's largest buyer of ships and offshore assets, and the owner of the club.[2][19]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2022-23 Trak-Only[20] Odisha Tourism[21] Serajuddin & Co
2023-24
2024-25 iServeU

Kit evolution

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2022−23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2023−24
 
 
 
 
 
 
2024−25

Stadium

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Main article: Kalinga Stadium
 
An elevated view of the Kalinga Stadium in 2019

Established in 1978, the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, is the home ground of Odisha. The 12,000-capacity stadium has hosted several national and international tournaments including the Indian Super League, I-League, Super Cup, and 2019 Gold Cup. It was one of the venues to host the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The stadium also serves as the home base for the India women's national football team and youth national teams.

Support

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The Juggernauts in full voice at the Kalinga Stadium.

Odisha FC had immediately grown its popularity post its inception which resulted in the formation of its supporters group, known as The Juggernauts.[22][23][24] The name of the group is derived from Jagannātha i.e. the "world-lord", combining jagata ("world") and natha ("lord"). Juggernaut is defined as a large powerful force or organization that cannot be stopped.[25] After the club entered into a 3-year technical affiliation with the Premier League side Watford, the Juggernauts became the first Indian football supporters' group to get into an international alliance with supporters' group of a foreign club on September 3. They partnered with Watford's largest supporters' group, i.e. The 1881 Movement, for a cross-cultural fan exchange programme.[26][27]

Players

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First-team squad

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As of 10 October 2024[28]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   IND Shreya Hooda
3 DF   IND Arifa Zaheer
4 DF   IND Kretina Sangma
5 DF   NGA Maryam Ibrahim
6 MF   IND Grace Hauhnar
7 MF   IND Kajol D'Souza
8 MF   IND Kiran Pisda
9 FW   IND Lynda Kom
10 FW   IND Pyari Xaxa
11 FW   GHA Jennifer Kankam Yeboah
12 GK   IND Anjali Barke
13 MF   IND Bannya Kabiraj
15 FW   IND Malati Munda
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW   IND Munica Minz
18 FW   IND Aishwarya Jagtap
19 FW   IND Neha Sillay
21 DF   IND Nimita Gurung
23 GK   IND Anshika Malik
25 DF   IND Kajal Kantiwal
27 DF   IND Nishka Parkash
38 DF   IND Sulekha Kanhar
39 GK   IND Aisha Ghatualo
— DF   CMR Eliane Bodolo
— MF   IND Jasoda Munda
— GK   IND Manju Ganjhu

Records and statistics

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As of 24 March 2024
Overall records
Season Indian Women's League OWL AWCL Top Scorer
P W D L GF GA Pts Position Player Goals
2022–23 7 5 1 1 28 2 16 Quarter-finalists Champions –   Pyari Xaxa 11
2023–24 12 10 1 1 31 4 31 Champions – –   Pyari Xaxa 8
2024–25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD – Group Stage

  Jennifer Kankam Yeboah

3

Personnel

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Current technical staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Crispin Chettri
Assistant coach   Gayatri Mallick
Goalkeeping coach   Saurav Virdi
Team Manager   Satabdi Samuka Parida
Team Physio   Rutu Bhatt

Managerial history

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Name Nationality Period
Crispin Chettri[10]   India 2022–

Football Sport Management

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Position Name Ref.
Technical Assistant   Joy Gabriel [29]

Management

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Board of Directors

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Position Name
Club Owner & Advisor   Rohan Sharma[10]
President   Raj Athwal[10]
General Manager   Ravi Khedar[30]
Head of Finance   Ajit Panda[31]
Commercial Manager   Ashis Hota[31]

Performance in AFC competitions

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Further information: Indian football clubs in Asian competitions
Season Competition Round Club Result Position Top scorer(s) Goals
2024–25 AFC Women's Champions League Preliminary Stage   Lion City Sailors 4–1 Group B Winners   Jennifer Kankam Yeboah 3
  Etihad Club 2–1
Group Stage   Urawa Red Diamonds 0–17 Group C
  Hồ Chí Minh City 1–3
  Taichung Blue Whale 0–4

Honours

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Odisha FCW celebrating their 2023–24 Indian Women's League title win at the Kalinga Stadium.

Domestic

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Regional

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Recognitions

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Affiliated clubs

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The following clubs are affiliated with Odisha FC:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Odisha FC – Venue". indiansuperleague.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "ISL newbies Odisha FC unveil official logo". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Odisha FC announce Raj Athwal as new Club President". medium.com. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Bala & Co ready to dazzle". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. ^ "IWL: Tough battle awaits for debutants Churchill Brothers". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Goa: The Times of India. TNN. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Odisha FC Women's Team: The Road Ahead..." 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Odisha FC announce the launch of senior women's team". indiansuperleague.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  8. ^ "All you need to know about history of Odisha FC women's team". Khel Now. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ^ Odisha FC [@OdishaFC] (1 July 2022). "#WelcomeCrispin ✍🏻🟣" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b c d "Odisha FC launch women's team; Crispin Chettri named new coach". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Odisha FC crowned OWL champions; ECoR runners-up". Orisports.com. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Odisha FC Women's Team Ambitious for Maiden Hero IWL 2023 Campaign". Odisha FC. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Odisha FC lost in the IWL quarter-finals to Gokulam Kerala on penalties". Odisha FC. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Beatrice heroics in penalty shootout as 10-women Gokulam Kerala see off Odisha". All India Football Federation. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Odisha FC: The newly-crowned queens of Indian women's football". All India Football Federation. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  16. ^ "Odisha FC crowned champions of IWL 2023-24". ESPN. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  17. ^ "IWL winner Odisha FC to represent India in inaugural AFC Women's Champions League". Sportstar. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  18. ^ "FIFA congratulates Odisha FC Women's Team". Odisha FC. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Odisha FC unveil official logo". .indiansuperleague.com. 15 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Odisha FC launch new kits ahead of upcoming ISL 2022-23 season". 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Odisha FC - Partners". OdishaFC.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  22. ^ Das, Srijandeep (22 October 2019). "ISL 2019-20: Odisha FC CEO Ashish Shah talks about shifting base from Delhi, tapping local talent, building fanbase and more". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  23. ^ Jena, Suryakant; Biswas, Ramakant (7 October 2019). "Odisha FC Gears Up For Debut In Indian Super League 2019-20". Odisha Tv. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Team Odisha FC arrives in Bhubaneswar and gets warm welcome from fans". orissadiary.com. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Meaning of juggernaut in English". dictionary.cambridge.org. Cambridge University Press. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Odisha FC Supporters Juggernauts Partner With Watford FC Fanclub For Cross-Cultural Fan Program". Sambad. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Odisha FC Supporters, Juggernauts, Partner With Watford FC's Fan Club For Cross-Cultural Fan Programme". Odisha Bytes. 12 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  28. ^ "IWL 2023-24". i-league.org. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  29. ^ "We're thrilled to announce the appointment of Joy Gabriel as our new Technical Assistant". @OdishaFC. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  30. ^ "It'll be the most competitive ISL in recent years: Sergio Lobera". Khel Now. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  31. ^ a b Odisha FC [@OdishaFC] (18 July 2024). "Sending warm birthday wishes to our Head of Finance - Mr. Ajit Panda and the Commercial Manager - Mr. Asish Hota. 🎉🎂 Your contributions behind the scenes are crucial to the Club's growth.📈 #OdishaFC" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Media Team, AIFF (18 June 2024). "16 tournaments, 11,000 players: A hectic 2023–24 domestic season with class and character". the-aiff.com. New Delhi: All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  33. ^ Media Team, AIFF (28 March 2024). "IWL 2023-24 Roll of Honours announced". the-aiff.com. New Delhi: All India Football Federation. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  34. ^ "News: Watford & Odisha FC Sign International Club Partnership". WatfordFC.com. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Odisha FC signs International Club Partnership with Premier League club Watford FC". OdishaFC.com. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Odisha FC announce strategic partnership with Brazil's Avai FC". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Odisha FC partners with Brazil's Avaí Futebol Clube expanding OFC's global presence". indiansuperleague.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
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