Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa booked their place in the AFC Champions League Two group stage after edging past Oman’s Al Seeb Club 2-1 in a tense preliminary clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
Goals from Dejan Drazic and Javier Siverio proved enough for the Gaurs, despite a second-half fightback from the visitors. The victory means FC Goa will now join Mohun Bagan Super Giant—who qualified directly as last season’s ISL Shield winners—in the continental competition’s group stages.
Al Seeb started brightly, creating early chances, but the Goan backline, marshalled by Sandesh Jhingan, held firm. The hosts gradually settled into rhythm, with Drazic posing a constant threat down the left. His persistence paid off in the 24th minute when he latched on to a long ball, skipped past the advancing goalkeeper, and delicately chipped into the net to give Goa the lead.
Holding a 1-0 advantage at the break, Manolo Marquez’s side returned in the second half with renewed attacking intent. New recruit Siverio doubled the advantage in the 52nd minute, rising highest to head home and open his account for the club.
Al Seeb, however, were not ready to surrender. Al-Rawahi pulled one back in the 60th minute, setting up a nervy final half-hour. Siverio missed a chance to restore the two-goal cushion, while Goa’s young goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari produced two key late saves to deny the visitors an equaliser.
The hard-fought win sees FC Goa advance to the ACL Two group stage, with the official draw set to take place on Friday, August 15.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
