After clinching IWL only within two years of their debut in Indian women’s football Odisha FC created history by achieving qualifying for the AFC Champions League group stage in their maiden appearance under his guidance. 

But Crispin Chhetri, Odisha FC’s booming coach does not want to cherish only the statistics. Rather he will be happy if Odisha FC can earn the eligibility of participating in the prestigious AFC Champions League every year. 

Speaking over the phone from Kuraesong, Crispin who returned home on Monday from Jordan explained, “Yes, I am happy that the team have qualified for the group stage of this competition. But I want this participation every year. You need to be in the AFC Champions League regularly to be in the mainstream of Asian football. Playing in this prestigious competition will also help your footballers to receive offers from top foreign teams.”

It is believed that Odisha FC even has plans to work out the issue in the future where the club can play an instrumental role by sending any of their potential girls abroad if she receives an offer.

When asked about the girls’ performance, Crispin gave credit to the whole squad. “Everybody was consistent. Our team consisted of young footballers mainly. Half of the squad had the same players of the last season. We only roped in two new foreigners, one from Nigeria and the other from Ghana. The last match against Jordan was tough. They played most of their national team footballers. I am happy that we maintained the consistency,” explained Crispin. 

In the Group Stage of the AFC Women's Champions League, Odisha FC will travel to Vietnam to face Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (Japan), and Taichung Blue Whale (Chinese Taipei), and host Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). 

The Group Stage comprises three groups of four teams and will also be contested in a centralized league format from 6th to 12th October.

Crispin is aware of his stronger opposition in the group stage. So he is planning to play at least one preparatory match against a boys' team during the two-week training time before leaving for Vietnam. 

"We have the option to play against the AIFF's elite academy youth team. Playing against the boys can help the girls to strengthen their skill and attitude, but at the same time playing against boys can bring injuries, concluded Crispin.