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Indian players at OFC surprised me, says Hector Rodas

OFC Media Team
October 27 2021
Odisha FC’s star Spanish defender Hector Rodas is amazed to see the talented Indian youngsters in the squad. He, along with Victor Mongil and Vinit Rai, has been voted as the three captains for the upcoming eighth edition of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) to start next month in Goa. The Odisha FC squad, under Head Coach Kiko Ramirez is training hard and after one such training session, the 33-year-old center-back sat down with the OFC Media Team for a short interview.

“It’s my first time that I am in India. I really want to know the country. India has a rich culture and heritage of temples, churches etc. The people are very close, friendly and helpful. They always have a smile on their faces for that I am very happy to be here,” he said.

“My first goal is to give everything for Odisha, to help them continue to grow in the Hero ISL. I will work day by day to give my best for the Club and the fans. I want to earn respect in the field.”


Apart from Hector, the Bhubaneswar-based side has the services of other foreigners like Victor Mongil, Javi Hernandez, Liridon Krasniqi, Ariai Cabrera and Jonathas. When asked about the foreign contingent, Hector responded, “I think that we have a good mix of foreigners. Javi and Victor know about the competition here and they were the champions so that is very important for us. Then, Liridon knows Asian football. He plays in one of the best teams in Malaysia and in their national team as well. Then we have Aridai who is a different player and has a lot of quality. He has played a lot of leagues at the highest level in Spain. And finally, our striker he is the best I think. He has played in the important leagues in Europe in Italy, Spain, and Germany and scored goals in all the leagues. We have a good team and really want us to do well.”
 


He has played for numerous Spanish teams like Levante, Elche, Real Betis, Cordoba, Cultural Leonesa, and Alcorcon and also represented Belgian club Cercle Brugge. Hector’s experience in major leagues around Europe is a huge positive not only for the team but also for the growth of the Indian footballers in the side. 

“I am lucky to have played in the first and second division in Spain. I lived good moments and have some very good experiences. From now, I am staying in India and these experiences, I will use to help my young teammates and give everything to do the best this season,” he mentioned.

“They (Indian players) surprised me. They have a lot of quality and they are very young. It is good for us because they are hungry to achieve big things in football. With our experience, I think that we can do good things together.”


Speaking about the coaching staff, the Valencia-born footballer stated, “Kiko is very close to me. We spoke several times this summer where he explained to me the project and everything regarding football. Finally, I decided to come here to work with him, Kino and Masca and I think they have a good group to work with. I am sure that we will enjoy ourselves together and we will have good results this season.”

Ahead of the start of the new season, the Club has already made a couple of partnerships which is expected to be crucial for everyone at the Club. Hector spoke about the importance of DV7 Group and Watford and how these partnerships will help the Indian youngsters to dream big.

“Well, the support of DV7 Group and Watford is very important for us. I think they know about the sport and have a lot of experience. For the young players in India, it’s a very good opportunity to grow up and maybe play in Europe for example in Watford,” he asserted. 

Before concluding, he had a message for the Juggernauts, “First of all, I want to say thanks for your warm welcome. Because of the Covid situation, we can’t enjoy with you in the stadium. But, I am sure we have to give the best for the matches and I am sure that we will enjoy this year. We will have a good result this season. Come on Odisha! We are together.”


Click here to get your hands on our Official Hummel Home-Kit for 2021-22!
 

Indian players at OFC surprised me, says Hector Rodas

OFC Media Team
October 27 2021
Odisha FC’s star Spanish defender Hector Rodas is amazed to see the talented Indian youngsters in the squad. He, along with Victor Mongil and Vinit Rai, has been voted as the three captains for the upcoming eighth edition of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) to start next month in Goa. The Odisha FC squad, under Head Coach Kiko Ramirez is training hard and after one such training session, the 33-year-old center-back sat down with the OFC Media Team for a short interview.

“It’s my first time that I am in India. I really want to know the country. India has a rich culture and heritage of temples, churches etc. The people are very close, friendly and helpful. They always have a smile on their faces for that I am very happy to be here,” he said.

“My first goal is to give everything for Odisha, to help them continue to grow in the Hero ISL. I will work day by day to give my best for the Club and the fans. I want to earn respect in the field.”


Apart from Hector, the Bhubaneswar-based side has the services of other foreigners like Victor Mongil, Javi Hernandez, Liridon Krasniqi, Ariai Cabrera and Jonathas. When asked about the foreign contingent, Hector responded, “I think that we have a good mix of foreigners. Javi and Victor know about the competition here and they were the champions so that is very important for us. Then, Liridon knows Asian football. He plays in one of the best teams in Malaysia and in their national team as well. Then we have Aridai who is a different player and has a lot of quality. He has played a lot of leagues at the highest level in Spain. And finally, our striker he is the best I think. He has played in the important leagues in Europe in Italy, Spain, and Germany and scored goals in all the leagues. We have a good team and really want us to do well.”
 


He has played for numerous Spanish teams like Levante, Elche, Real Betis, Cordoba, Cultural Leonesa, and Alcorcon and also represented Belgian club Cercle Brugge. Hector’s experience in major leagues around Europe is a huge positive not only for the team but also for the growth of the Indian footballers in the side. 

“I am lucky to have played in the first and second division in Spain. I lived good moments and have some very good experiences. From now, I am staying in India and these experiences, I will use to help my young teammates and give everything to do the best this season,” he mentioned.

“They (Indian players) surprised me. They have a lot of quality and they are very young. It is good for us because they are hungry to achieve big things in football. With our experience, I think that we can do good things together.”


Speaking about the coaching staff, the Valencia-born footballer stated, “Kiko is very close to me. We spoke several times this summer where he explained to me the project and everything regarding football. Finally, I decided to come here to work with him, Kino and Masca and I think they have a good group to work with. I am sure that we will enjoy ourselves together and we will have good results this season.”

Ahead of the start of the new season, the Club has already made a couple of partnerships which is expected to be crucial for everyone at the Club. Hector spoke about the importance of DV7 Group and Watford and how these partnerships will help the Indian youngsters to dream big.

“Well, the support of DV7 Group and Watford is very important for us. I think they know about the sport and have a lot of experience. For the young players in India, it’s a very good opportunity to grow up and maybe play in Europe for example in Watford,” he asserted. 

Before concluding, he had a message for the Juggernauts, “First of all, I want to say thanks for your warm welcome. Because of the Covid situation, we can’t enjoy with you in the stadium. But, I am sure we have to give the best for the matches and I am sure that we will enjoy this year. We will have a good result this season. Come on Odisha! We are together.”


Click here to get your hands on our Official Hummel Home-Kit for 2021-22!