FC Goa aim to end AFC Champions League Two campaign with victory over FC Istiklol

FC Goa are winless in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two.

FC Goa is having a dismal campaign in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two, with five losses in their first five games, and will be looking to stop it with a victory at home against FC Istiklol. The match will take place on December 24, 2025, at Goa’s Fatorda Stadium.

While coming out on top and finishing the campaign on a good note appears to be an achievable goal on paper, defeating FC Istiklol would need the Gaurs to perform at a better level than they have thus far.

The Stakes

FC Goa

FC Goa are coming off back-to-back Super Cup victories, following a penalty shootout victory over East Bengal FC in the 2025/26 AIFF Super Cup final. However, Goa’s 2025–2026 AFC Champions League-2 campaign has not gone as planned, as they are currently at the bottom of group D after failing to win or draw their first five group stage games.

They are one of three clubs that have failed to register a point in the AFC Champions League-2 season. Although they have recently appeared to be able to score goals, their defensive issues have dominated this campaign, as evidenced by the 12 goals they have given up in five games.

It has been difficult for FC Goa to practice for extended periods of time without playing many competitive games in the past several months due to the lack of a league. Manolo Marquez would be hoping that a victory over the Tajik club will finish off all of his hard work during these difficult, gloomy times.

FC Istiklol

Istiklol were awarded champions of the recently completed 2025 Tajikistan Higher League. They finished five points clear of Vakhsh Bokhtar, who finished second. They still have a very remote possibility of qualifying for the AFC Champions League-2 knockout stages in 2025–2026.

If they win against the Gaurs by four or more goals and Al-Nassr defeats Al Zawraa by four or more goals, they may advance based on the criteria of scoring the most goals in comparison to Al Zawraa. Although the chances of this happening are slim, Igor Cherevchenko will be aiming to win the game and finish the season on a good note, who knows, they could even qualify.

Team News

FC Goa will be without David Timor (suspended), Ayush Chhetri (suspended) and Sandesh Jhingan (injured). Javier Siverio has mutually terminated his contract with the club and will be unavailable for selection.

It is anticipated that Istiklol will have a completely fit team at disposal for selection.

Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played – 1

FC Goa wins – 0

FC Istiklol wins – 1

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineups

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Hrithik Tiwari (GK); Aakash Sangwan, Ronney Willson, Pol Moreno, Boris Singh; Sahil Tavora, Harsh Patre, Borja Herrera; Dejan Drazic, Iker Guarrotxena, Brison Fernandes.

FC Istiklol (3-5-2)

Nikola Stosic (GK); Sodikdzhon Kurbonov, Tabrez Islomov, Marlen Chobanov; Manuchekhr Safarov, Ekhson Pandzhshanbe, Amirbek Dzhuraboev, Reza Dehghani, Mukhammadjon Rakhimov; Rustam Soirov, Paul Komolafe.

Players to Watch

Borja Herrera (FC Goa)

Ever since joining the club on loan from East Bengal in January 2024, Borja Herrera has been a crucial player in whatever success FC Goa have achieved in the last two years. From qualifying to AFC Champions League-2 to back-to-back Super Cup triumphs, Borja Herrera’s influence on these achievements is unquestioned.

Borja Herrera, a versatile footballer who can play any position in midfield or in attack, is anticipated to take the place of the suspended Ayush Chhetri in the midfield. His experience would be critical in retaining the ball in the center of the park. His set pieces and long balls for FC Goa’s large defenders & quick attackers might be a major source of goal-scoring ingenuity.

Rustam Soirov (FC Istiklol)

Despite a sluggish start to the season, with no goals in his first nine games, Soirov concluded the 2025 Tajikistan Higher League with ten goals and six assists in seventeen games. He lost out on the golden boot by two goals to teammate Paul Komolafe, who ended the season with 12 goals.

Despite his excellent domestic goal record, the 23-year-old Tajik striker has struggled to hit the net in the 2025/26 AFC Champions League-2 season. With no goals in five games, Rustam will be looking to complete the season with at least one goal against one of the weakest defensive units in the league.

When and where to watch Al-Zawraa vs FC Goa in AFC Champions League Two?

FC Goa is scheduled to play FC Istiklol in the AFC Champions League-2 on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa.

The game will begin at 21:30 PM IST and will be streamed live on Fancode.

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