FC Goa bow out of ACL Two qualifiers after 0-3 defeat against FK Arkadag

The Gaurs will now feature in the AFC Challenge League

FC Goa lost 0-3 to FK Arkadag (Turkmenistan) in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Preliminary Stage at the Arkadag Stadium in Arkadag, Turkmenistan, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The Gaurs will now compete in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 group stage.

After a listless first half, Arkadag turned on the style, netting three goals to put the side from Turkmenistan in the group stage draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.

Both sides looked promising in the first half

Arkadag controlled the tempo from the start, using the flanks to find spaces with Arzuvguly Sapargulyev, causing problems for Bob Jackson Raj, who had to keep out Begench Akmammedov’s close-range effort before repelling Abdy Basimow on the rebound.

FC Goa found themselves on the backfoot moments later when Rahman Myratberdiyew powered his way down the centre before releasing Akmammedov, who could only miscue his grounded effort across the face of the goalmouth.

Arkadag threatened again in the 26th minute when Bashimov’s looping header from a corner looked to be dropping over the line, but Raj stayed composed under pressure and produced a diving save to claw the ball away.

The Gaurs had a chance to snatch the lead in the 42nd minute from a set-piece situation, but Francisco Feuillassier put too much weight on the ball for Sandesh Jhingan to cause damage with a glancing header.

Another chance went begging for the Turkmenistan side a minute before the break, with Myratberdiyew sending his overhead shot sailing over the bar from just above the six-yard box.

FK Arkadag scored three goals against the Indian side

Arkadag’s sustained pressure in the second half finally paid off in the 61th minute when Yazgylych Gurbanov’s cross into the box found its way to Didar Durdyyew, whose effort from inside a crowded penalty area slipped through the grasp of Raj and crossed the line.

Myratberdiyew doubled Arkadag’s lead in the 64th minute when he pounced on a loose ball before surging inside the box and calmly slotting the ball home with a composed finish past a sprawling Raj.

FC Goa fell further behind in the 75th minute with Sapargulyev bending his free-kick past a rooted Raj and into the top-right corner to seal the victory.

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