AFC Champions League Two Points Table: Updated Standings after FC Goa's 2-1 defeat against Istiklol

Gaurs’ ACL 2 campaign ends without any points.

With uncertainty revolving around the future of the Indian Super League, India’s solitary hope in Asia, FC Goa, suffered another heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Tajik outfit Istiklol.

FC Goa were coming after five back-to-back defeats in their ACL 2 campaign. Istiklol, on the other hand, needed more than miracles to leapfrog Al Zawraa in the points table, and the game was nothing but a mere formality for both teams.

The game began with Dezan Drazic giving a pre-Christmas gift to the Gaur fans at the Fatorda after breaking the deadlock in just 8 minutes. For the first time in ACL 2 2025-26, FC Goa entered the second half with a lead. The joy was short-lived after Istiklol scored two goals in quick succession.

Komolafe netted the equaliser in the 53rd minute, and Juraboev converted from the spot in the 56th minute. FC Goa kept knocking on the door of the equaliser. Despite having a man advantage for about a quarter, FC Goa failed to find the equaliser and suffered their sixth defeat. The game ended with Istiklol winning 2-1.

Final points table after FC Goa vs Istiklol

So, with FC Goa’s defeat to Istiklol, we wrap up the group stage fixtures of the AFC Champions League 2. Saudi giants Al Nassr and Al Zawraa from Iraq have advanced to the knockout rounds of the competition.

Al Nassr had a clear domination in Group D. Not only did they win every single game, but they also went on to score 22 goals in 6 games, clocking an average of over three goals every game. Al Zawraa were lucky to finish second despite being level on nine points with Istiklol.

FC Goa finished at the bottom of Group D and had a humiliating campaign after failing to clinch even a single point in the campaign. What is shocking is that every team finished the group stage round with a negative goal difference, whereas Al Nassr had a +20 goal difference.

FC Goa put up a strong fight despite ISL uncertainty

It was never easy for FC Goa to first qualify for ACL 2, but they managed to defeat former AFC Cup Champions Al Seeb to join Mohun Bagan in ACL 2. After the Mariners withdrew from ACL 2, gaurs were the solitary hope of a country where football was going through unprecedented times.

The Gaurs, despite failing to clinch even a single point, exhibited enough resilience and courage. From that historic goal from Brison against a star-studded Al Nassr that lit up the Fatorda skies to young Hrithik denying world-class strikers like Joao Felix and Sadio Mane, the Gaurs represented the tricolour with pride and passion.