FC Goa vs FC Istiklol: Key player battles to watch out for in AFC Champions League Two

The Gaurs will be keen to end their AFC Champions League Two campaign on a high note.

FC Goa are set to face off against Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in their final Group D game of the AFC Champions League Two 2025 on Wednesday (December 24). It is one final chance for the Gaurs in a tournament journey, where they weren’t able to register a single win in their group.

The side from Tajikistan were victorious in the reverse fixture, where they walked out 2-0 winners against a determined Goa, courtesy of goals from Rustam Soirov and Reza Dehghani. The Gaurs will be determined to give a good final account and play for pride and hopefully register a historic first win in the competition.

The upcoming AFC Champions League Two Group D match is crucial for the Tajikistan side who need to win by seven goals or more against Goa in the Final group game and hope Al Zawraa lose against Al Nassr for progression to the next stage. Here are three key battles that can decide the course of this match:

Hrithik Tiwari vs Rustam Soirov

FC Goa’s shot stopper is expected to be called into action again, and he will be looking to keep Istiklol FC‘s Rustam Soirov at bay. While Soirov got the better off Tiwari in the reverse fixture, the FC Goa keeper will need to be a wall for FC Goa to stand any chance of winning.

Soriov’s influence will be key for FC Istiklol once again at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday as they look to register a massive win. The duel between the pair will be significantly consequential on how the game will end and which side comes out on top.

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Borja Herrera vs Stosic Nikola

Borja Herrera will be the key attacking threat for FC Goa against the Tajikistan side, and his contributions in the game will be crucial for garnering all three points. However, the Spaniard will be up against the Serbian shot stopper Stosic Nikola in goal for FC Istiklol, who kept his only clean sheet of the competition against FC Goa.

Stosic’s presence in goal will be the anchor and safe cushion for FC Istiklol on an away fixture where the home fans will play a part. On the contrary, Herrera will be looking to build on the energy from the home crowd to find the back of the net and create opportunities in the final third for his side’s final bow in Group D.

Ayush Dev Chhetri vs Mukhammadjon Rakhimov

FC Goa will be targeting to ape the level of performance in midfield from the reverse fixture with Ayush Dev Chhetri expected to be the general in the heart. One of the most threatening players in Tajikistan for the visitors was midfielder Mukhammadjon Rakhimov, who will want to ensure Chhetri having a bad night.

The 27-year-old midfielder from Tajikistan will be the chief creator for FC Istiklol on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see how Ayush Dev Chhetri stops his progression. Chhetri will need to be alert about long range shooting from Rakhimov and keep tabs on his movement in FC Goa’s defensive half.

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