FC Goa vs Al Seeb: Top three player battles to watch out for

Al Seeb stand in the way of FC Goa’s continental dreams

After winning the Super Cup 2025, Manolo Marquez’s FC Goa are geared up to take on the Omani side Al Seeb in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League 2. The one-off qualifier will decide the Gaurs’ future in their progression to the continental competition.

Al Seeb have won the last three editions of the Omani League, the top-flight club football competition in the country. However, the biggest achievement of the club to date is their 2022 AFC Cup triumph, when they defeated Kuala Lumpur City 3-0 in the final. Boasting several Omani internationals, the team will provide a stern test to the Gaurs.

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

The match will be played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on August 13th at 7:30 pm IST. Ahead of the encounter, let’s take a look at the crucial player battles that will be played across the pitch and could potentially determine the fate of the game.

3. Iker Guarrotxena vs Mohammed Al-Musalami

Iker Guarrotxena has established himself as one of the most exciting foreigners in the Indian Super League (ISL) in recent years. His guile and trickery in and around the final third, coupled with his ability to play with both feet, make him a tough prospect for all defenders. However, against Al Seeb, Guarrotxena will have his task cut out.

Mohammed Al-Musalami, carrying a wealth of experience from his time in Qatar and UAE, will look to make life difficult not just for Iker but all of Goa’s attackers. While not the tallest of defenders, standing at 1.75 metres, Al-Musalami makes up for it with his intelligence and no-nonsense defending. At age 35, Musalami will be equipped with his centre back partner, Ahmed Al-Khamisi, to stop the Goan attacks.

Musalami and Guarrotxena’s experience of having played in high-profile games in the past will greatly help their sides. Musalami has as many as 112 appearances for his nation, while Guarrotxena has plied his trade in five different countries and three continents. The highly anticipated battle between the seasoned veterans will be a treat for all.

2. David Timor vs Arshad Al-Alawi

Arshad Al-Alawi was one of the most anticipated talents to rise from Omani Football in recent years. The playmaker has played for Kuwait SC, a regular name in Asian club competitions. He also featured for Emirates FC in the top flight of the UAE.

Still only 25, Arshad Al-Alawi’s trickery can cause FC Goa’s midfield a lot of headaches. Despite being a midfielder, Al-Alawi has an imposing stature and pace to match. He drops deep to pick up the ball and start Al Seeb’s attacks, while also having a knack for scoring an odd goal.

To ensure that the Omani midfielder stays quiet, David Timor will have to put in a solid shift for the Gaurs. The defensive midfielder has had an impressive career, racking up 143 appearances in La Liga and a hundred more in La Liga 2.

Timor was part of the Getafe side that was lauded for its defence in the 2019-20 season when it finished seventh in La Liga. Timor’s inclusion in the eleven will be crucial to Goa’s hopes of stopping the likes of Al-Alawi.

1. Sandesh Jhingan vs Abu Kamara

While Manolo Marquez has roped in the Spanish defender Pol Moreno, all eyes will be on India’s best defender in recent years, Sandesh Jhingan, who will partner the Spaniard in the heart of the Goan defence. Unlike other Indian teams that would prefer to start with two foreign centre-backs against Asian teams, Jhingan has enough pedigree to hold his own against many talented strikers.

It will be a battle that Al Seeb’s Abu Kamara will relish taking on. Despite being 28 years of age, Kamara has already played in thirteen different clubs. He has taken his goalscoring boots to nine different countries, but his goalscoring form has exploded since joining Al Seeb.

With eight goals in nine appearances for the club in 2025, Kamara’s eyes will be on taking Al Seeb to a spot in the AFC Champions League 2. Kamara’s battle against Jhingan will be a particularly enticing watch, as the Goan defence will need to hold the fort against a seasoned striker.

The AFC Champions League Two playoff between FC Goa and Al Seeb will be streamed exclusively on the official Khel Now YouTube Channel – Khel Now TV. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 pm on August 13th, 2025.

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.