Illustrious record of Goan clubs in AFC competitions ft Dempo SC, FC Goa

Clubs from Goa have represented India on the Asian stage with remarkable success.

AFC competitions have always been the toughest pursuit for Indian clubs. Competing with the best in Asia is not easy, and Indian clubs have found it tough to make their mark. However, there is an exception. In the long list of clubs that have represented India, clubs from Goa stand apart. Over the years, Goan clubs have been glorious anomalies.

Right from the 2000s, Goan clubs have shown that when it comes to stepping up to the occasion, they are the best. Multiple clubs from the state have represented India, and all of them have had some accomplishments along the way. In this article, we will closely look into the performance of clubs from Goa in AFC competitions over the years.

Also Read: Khel Now to exclusively telecast FC Goa’s ACL2 Playoff clash against Al Seeb

Dempo SC: The trailblazers

Dempo SC, famously known as the Golden Eagles, stand right at the summit when we talk about the achievements of Goan clubs at the Asian level. The journey that started with their debut in 2005, when they first participated in the AFC Cup, took some glorious turns before culminating with their last Asian appearance in 2011.

Dempo’s arrival on the Asian stage was not particularly impressive as they crashed out in the group stage after losing all the matches. The next year, they improved their performance but failed to advance to the knockouts.

However, in 2008, when they qualified for the AFC Cup, they were a formidable side with names like Ranti Martins, Beto, and Climax Lawrence gracing the roster. This time, they aced the group stage, making their way to the knockouts.

In the quarter-finals, Dempo dominated Singapore’s Home United to confirm their semi-final spot. This was the first time an Indian club had reached the semi-final stage. Dempo had broken the barrier and showed that excelling at the Asian level is not an impossible task.

Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar not far behind

Goa’s success story in the AFC competitions has not just been about Dempo SC. There have been contributions from other clubs as well to build this legacy. Churchill Brothers have qualified for the knockouts in the AFC Cup four times, a record for an Indian club. They made it to the round of 16 three times on the trot from 2009 to 2011. These campaigns had some remarkable victories against strong West-Asian clubs.

Another club in this list of clubs from Goa to make it to Asia are Salgaocar FC. Once a dominant force in Indian Football, Salgaocar FC were the first Goan club to represent India at the Asian level. Although not progressing to the knockouts, the club left its mark with some notable performances. Their journey in Asia started in the decade of 90s when the club was led by former Indian captain Bruno Coutinho. Salgaocar reached the zenith, in terms of their performance in Asia, in 2012 when they edged Oman’s Al Arouba.

FC Goa: New force to reckon with

FC Goa, in their short period of existence, have gone on to pull off remarkable achievements. The Gaurs are the latest entry in this elite list. Sticking to the high standards set by Dempo in the late 2000s, FC Goa produced memorable results when they played in Asia for the first time in 2021.

Becoming the first club from India to play in the AFC Champions League, the Gaurs scripted history. But they did not just stop there.

FC Goa faced some of the biggest names in Asian football, including Iran’s Persepolis, Qatar’s Al Rayyan, and the UAE’s Al Wahda. The former ISL champions exceeded expectations and managed to scrape three points in the group stage courtesy of as many draws against Al Rayyan and Al Wahda.

These West Asian sides boasted of some veteran names, but the sheer will of FC Goa made them withstand the grandeur of the occasion and opponents.

They are back at the Asian stage and are set to face Oman’s Al Seeb in the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary round. A win in this fixture would see them qualify for the group stage of the tournament. Not just FC Goa fans but the whole Indian football community will be backing the Gaurs to go deep into the tournament and assert India’s credentials in Asia.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.