FC Goa's run in the AFC competitions

The Gaurs made their bow in the AFC club competition during the 2020-21 season.

Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Goa have had a glorious history, having won almost every club competition in Indian football. Apart from winning the ISL title, the Gaurs have captured the league winner’s shield during the 2019-20 season, the Durand Cup in 2021 and two Super Cup titles in 2019 and 2025.

FC Goa have only managed one appearance in the AFC Cup competitions over the years, and it was during the 2020-21 season. The club secured qualification after winning 12 of their 18 league games in the 2019-20 ISL campaign and finishing at the top of the league standings.

FC Goa had a trial by fire in AFC Champions League

The Gaurs were placed in a group consisting of Iranian club Persepolis FC, UAE club Al Wahda, and Qatari club Al Rayyan in Group E. It was a far from an easy group for FC Goa and was a litmus test against some of Asia’s best clubs.

Despite all the odds, Juan Ferrando’s men didn’t have a bad start to their AFC Champions League campaign. The Gaurs were able to secure back-to-back clean sheets as they accumulated two points from their first two encounters against Al Wahda and Al Rayyan respectively.

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A close encounter with Persepolis FC

However, matchweek three spelled the end of any confidence that the side had gained from their previous two matchweeks as they faced Persepolis FC. Following a bright start, it was the Gaurs who shockingly went ahead following Edu Bedia capitalizing on Brandon Fernandes’ assist to make it 1-0.

However, backed by the raucous home support, Persepolis answered quickly after FC Goa had conceded a penalty in the 17th minute and Mehdi Torabi stepped up and slotted it home to make it 1-1 in the 18th minute. The home side then quickly added a second only six minutes after Syed Jalal Hosseini gave the hosts a 2-1 lead, which they held on till the final whistle.

Another damning loss all but sealed FC Goa’s fate

The Gaurs then returned home in matchweek four hoping to cash in on the home support to bounce back with a win of their own over Persepolis FC. However, the second game was always going to be different as the visitors routed the hosts by a 4-0 scoreline to claim all three points.

Goals from Shahriar Moghanlou, Mehdi Torabi, Issa Alkasir, Kamal Kamyabinia were enough for Persepolis to secure progression into the knockouts. The loss all but virtually ended FC Goa’s bid as they now had to win all their remaining games in the group and bank on other results.

A campaign filled with lessons Ferrando’s men

The maiden AFC Champions League voyage witnessed FC Goa finish third in Group E with three points from six games as Al Wahda and Persepolis FC progressed easily into the knockouts. Ferrando’s men did showcase promising signs while earning notable results away from home in the group stages.

As FC Goa gears up for AFC Champions League Two voyage, the Gaurs will be keen to implement the lessons they learned from the past. While the core group of players have changed, the side has enough talent to spring some surprise results in a continental competition.

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