FK Arkadag vs FC Goa Player ratings: Bob Jackson, Sandesh Jhingan disappoint in AFC Champions League Two Qualifiers

Gaurs to represent India in AFC Challenge League after 3-0 defeat.

The fate of two Indian sides has been decided tonight. East Bengal, the reigning champions of the Indian Super League, got the better of 2025–26 Kuwaiti Premier League runners-up Al Arabi to make it to the group stages of the AFC Champions League 2.

FC Goa had to pull out a big upset against a Turkmenistani outfit, Arkadag to join East Bengal in ACL 2. But the work was easier said than done. The Gaurs were up against former AFC Challenge League winner Arkadag, who also defeated East Bengal two years ago.

A tough night in Turkmenistan.Not the result we came for, but the boys gave it everything. We keep going. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/aI0729di7Q

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) August 12, 2026

The Gaurs looked like a brand-new team. New faces like Zalaya, Vallejo and many others were playing their first game in Goa colours, and they were led by new coach Gourmangi Singh, who succeeded Manolo Marquez, who made a move to join Mumbai City FC.

The Gaurs had a decent first half. At least they kept the score level and did not concede a single goal. But once the floodgates were open, Arkadag kept scoring one after another, and they ended up winning the game 3-0 to demote Goa to the AFC Challenge League.

FC Goa Ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Bob Jackson – 5.5/10

The young Goan custodian had a tough outing at work tonight in the second half, conceding three goals. Despite keeping a clean sheet in the first 45 minutes and being one of the standout performers after the first half, he failed to impress much in the second half. Arkadag’s offensive player did create a lot of chances, but some of the goals could have been saved by the former Salgaocar keeper.

RB: Sitroy Carvalho – 5/10

Carvalho picked up an early yellow card in just seven minutes. He hardly played even half the game and was subbed off before the halftime whistle after Nemil was brought in. He was already on a yellow and was pretty ineffective at stopping Muratberdyev from the flanks.

CB: Sandesh Jhinghan – 6/10

The FC Goa captain did a good job of keeping Arkadag quiet in the first half. However, goals came in a flurry in the last two quarters. Overall, the Goan defence looked poor, and Jhinghan was relatively better than the other defenders tonight.

CB: Alex Zalaya – 5.5/10

The Spanish defender was unimpressive. He not only committed a foul and picked up a yellow card but also gave away a free kick from a dangerous position. A product of Zaragoza’s youth academy, the Spanish defender got his first taste of Asian football and he has a lot to improve and work upon.

LB: Aakash Sangwan – 6/10

Sangwan played the full 90 minutes for Goa. He did try to make some accelerated runs from the flanks. But they were not enough to create any danger for the hosts.

DM: Alex Vallejo – 6.5/10

The Spanish midfielder arrived in India with extensive experience and played a decent game. The former RCD Mallorca midfielder neutralised those attacking runs from the centre of the park but in the last two quarters, Arkadag outplayed the Goan midfield.

DM: Haobam Tomba Singh – 6/10

The former Inter Kashi midfielder did try his luck from a distance and failed to find the breakthrough. After a decent performance, he was subbed off in the 65th minute to make way for Malsawmtluanga.

RM: Udanta Singh – 6/10

Udanta created some chances from the right flank with his quick runs. However, Arzuvguly, who even scored a goal, outplayed the former Bengaluru FC winger. He was later subbed off for FC Goa in the last few minutes of the game to make way for Nim Dorjee.

CAM: Franchu – 6/10

FC Goa did have their fair share of chances in the first half. But throughout the game, the hosts were the better side, and Franchu did not impress much in creating enough opportunities up front for Chiki and the Arkadag midfield hardly left any spaces for Franchu to exploit.

LM: Isak Vanlalruatfela – 5.5/10

The former Odisha FC winger was also subbed off near the hour mark after failing to create too many chances from the left flank. Mamedov got the better of Isak tonight.

CF: Chiki – 5.5/10

Arkadag’s defence was so solid that Chiki hardly got any actual chance to score. Even when Goa were trailing, the offensive flair upfront, which the Gaurs are known for, was lacking, and Arkadag kept scoring one after another; the game ended 3-0 in favour of the hosts.

Substitutes-

Muhammed Nemil Vailiyattil – 6.5/10

Nim Dorjee Tamang – 6/10

P Vishwas – 5.5/10

Malsawmtluanga – 5.5/10

Haodamlian Vaiphei – 5.5/10

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