Goa, April 29, 2021: A depleted FC Goa side were beaten 0-2 by Al Wahda in their final AFC Champions League match tonight at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. Owing to a concerning COVID-19 situation, FC Goa were without the services of all their foreign players as well as head coach Juan Ferrando.

The result means that the Gaurs finished third in Group E in their maiden appearance in the tournament thanks to three points owing to three draws.

The foreign contingent were all forced to leave for their native Spain abruptly, which saw eleven Indian players take the pitch for the first time in AFC Champions League history. It was a great opportunity for all the players involved, but when the opening whistle blew, it became clear that the team was more than willing to put up a real fight.

Al Wahda, coming into the game at the back of three successive wins were full of confidence, and bombarded the Goan penalty area with bodies in the first half, leading to a host of decent chances.

Lucas Pimenta fashioned the first really big opportunity just short of the 15-minute mark following a corner, but his tame effort was easy for Dheeraj Singh to deal with in the Goa goal.

Omar Khribin was growing into the game, and he managed two good chances back to back. First in the 26th minute, his effort just went wide off his left boot, and then with a well timed header just three minutes later, he created another opportunity that needed to be saved by a diving Dheeraj Singh in the FC Goa goal.

Tim Matavz was the main man up front for the Emiratis, and he had a good chance of his own just after the half hour mark, but despite finding himself one-on-one with Dheeraj, the striker fired his shot over the bar.

The Gaurs did manage one decent chance of their own in the first half, which came following a free kick that was only partially dealt with by Al Wahda custodian Mohamed Al Shamsi.

The follow up shot came to Glan Martins, but Al Shamsi was sharp enough to block the effort from the all-action midfielder. Goa kept out the visitors for the rest of the half with some dogged defending in their own penalty area, and knew they were in for a war come the second period.

More of the same came the home side’s way once the second half began, but Dheeraj was proving to be the difference between the two sides.

The talented goalkeeper first denied Khalil Ibrahim in the 49th minute from point blank range, and then made perhaps the best save of the tournament yet just a few minutes later.

Omar Khribin was played in and found himself one-on-one with an on-rushing Dheeraj, and as the Syrian tried to chip the keeper, Dheeraj clawed the ball away with a brilliant right hand to deny him.

Khribin did have the last laugh, however, as he got his goal in the 61st minute of the game. The forward was found inside the penalty area by Tim Matavz, and this time he smashed the ball home to make it 0-1 to Al Wahda.

Despite a stiff resistance posed by the Gaurs the rest of the way, Al Wahda got their second goal in the 90th minute as captain Mohammed Barqesh Almenhali made the Gaurs pay for a mistake in possession, his shot deflecting off Adil Khan and finding the back of the net.

In the end, the side from the UAE did see out the game comfortably, grabbing the three points and moving up to 13 points in Group E. This should be enough to see them qualify for the round of 16 behind group winners Persepolis FC who finished with 15 points.

As for FC Goa, they finished with 3 points after three fighting draws, and crucially finished third, avoiding the wooden spoon in the group which went to Al Rayyan.

The AFC Champions League was a memorable tournament for FC Goa in the end, and an opportunity for some youngsters to play in the biggest continental competition in Asia, with a performance that proved the Men in Orange can hold their own among the elite.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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By virtue of Al Wahda’s 1-0 victory over Persepolis FC just moments earlier, the Gaurs knew that they had lost the chance to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Champions League, but they certainly still had pride to play for.

A more familiar looking FC Goa side took to the pitch for this game, with key players such as captain Edu Bedia, Jorge Ortiz, Brandon Fernandes and Dheeraj Singh among those making their return to the starting eleven.

That familiarity bred quality once the opening whistle blew, as Goa flew out of the blocks and took the lead just three minutes in. A long ball over the top from Brandon Fernandes wasn’t dealt with by the Al Rayyan back line, and Jorge Ortiz pounced. The Spaniard’s first attempt was thwarted by the onrushing keeper, Saud Al Hajiri, but the forward’s persistence paid off as he got first to the deflected ball before sliding the ball into the back of the net.

Defending was something Goa has done well for most parts in the tournament up until this point, and Dheeraj was up for the challenge for some more in the ninth minute. The in-form keeper made a point blank save from Yohan Boli to keep his team’s lead intact.

The hosts kept their Qatari opposition at bay for much of the first half, but Dheeraj was forced into action in the 40th minute, as a Boli free kick was punched away to safety and Goa neared a halftime lead.

There was more drama just before the end of the half though, as an FC Goa counter attack saw Ishan Pandita released, and having seen the keeper off his line, the forward decided to have a go from distance. The shot, though, was saved comfortably by Al Hajiri, but was a clear indicator that the Gaurs had enough energy in the tank to play on the counter.

Goa defender Ivan Gonzalez bailed his goalkeeper out just moments later, making an important tackle to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity after some rare mix up at the back. A strong team effort saw the ISL side maintain a well earned halftime lead.

The second half brought renewed optimism and yet more of the same in terms of defending for FC Goa, with Dheeraj forced to close down Abdurrahman Al Korbi’s effort in the 47th minute by making himself big and stopping the chance in its tracks.

Goa looked untroubled for much of the half following this effort, and Glan Martins grew in influence as the game went on, even fashioning a great chance of his own in the 72nd minute.

The midfielder found himself with time and space just outside the box, but his shot on goal flew over the bar when it probably should have been on target from that range.

Seriton Fernandes, who had bombed forward down the right time and again did so one more time in the 86th minute and danced his way into the box. The right-back, though failed to keep his composure at the crucial moment, allowing the Al Rayyan defence to steal the ball.

That moment cost the Gaurs big time right at the end as Al Rayyan found an equaliser in the 89th minute. This time it was a cross by Abdulaziz Hatem that was spilled momentarily by Dheeraj, allowing Ali Farydoon to react quickest and smash the ball home to make it 1-1.

It was heartbreak for a team that was on the verge of becoming India’s first ever side to win a game in the AFC Champions League, and as they tried to find a late winner, Dheeraj was forced into one final save.

Deep into stoppage time, Khalid Muftah let fly with a stinging effort, but the defiant Dheeraj kept him out to ensure FC Goa leave with at least a point. It was a tremendous effort from the team in orange, and though the three points were not secured, a statement was surely made.

Goa remain third in Group E following this draw, and play their sixth and final AFC Champions League match against Al Wahda on Thursday, 29 April with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 PM.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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FC Goa face familiar opposition on Friday as they take on reigning AFC  Champions League West Zone champions, Persepolis FC for the second game in a row in their Group E clash. .

The Gaurs have been defiant thus far, drawing twice and narrowly losing out 1-2 to Friday’s opponents, which gives them a bit of hope heading into this crucial clash.

As the game inches closer, let’s take a look at how the two teams compare on this occasion, and where they stand in Group E.

FC Goa

The Men in Orange got off to the perfect start against Persepolis last time out, with captain Edu Bedia scoring early on, but that joy soon was short-lived as the Iranian champions fought back and scored twice within the first half an hour of the game.

However, the Gaurs did not concede again in the game, which certainly would give them much confidence as they step onto the pitch once more on Friday against the group leaders.

Head Coach Juan Ferrando has time and again stressed on the need for fitness as the games come thick and fast. And that is likely to play a big part in deciding the fortunes in this game.

“It can be tricky for all the teams to play six games in 20 days but it has not been that big of a problem for us,” said Coach Ferrando. “We need proper preparation after each matchday so that we can participate with the best possible condition.”

Juan Ferrando also revealed that Goa’s goalscorer from the previous game and captain Edu Bedia could be carrying an injury.

“Edu Bedia – our captain – is a big doubt tomorrow. He suffered a knock from the match. It’s nothing serious but we will find out soon. The physio and therapist are working hard to nurse him back to match fitness.”

As it is, the Spaniard will have to miss the game due to suspension after picking up his second yellow card of the group stages of the tournament in the last game. In his absence, the Coach may be forced to consider changing his shape and formation to combat the attacking threat of Persepolis FC, but will be glad to welcome back Alexander Romario Jesuraj from suspension.

Goa currently sit third in the Group E standings behind Persepolis and Al Wahda with two points from three games.

Persepolis FC

It has been the perfect start to life in the AFC Champions League 2021 for Persepolis, just as many had predicted.

Easily the favourites to progress, the team from Iran has a perfect record so far, playing three and winning three, grabbing nine points from a possible nine.

That puts them top of the Group E standings and well on course to top the group with a few games to spare.

Despite a 2-1 win over FC Goa last time out, Persepolis Head Coach Yahya Golmohammadi continues to be appreciative of the Gaurs’ effort and is taking nothing for granted.

“Before our game against Goa, everyone thought they were a weak side. But they’re not. They have shown good quality and are playing very well, coherently, with high intensity and with heart,” he said.

“We will try to focus well on defending free-kicks so that it is not seen as a weakness for Persepolis. The two goals we conceded from set-pieces were very rare and the fact that they happened twice may be a cause for concern. However, we need to address this issue with more practice and will remain focused.”

A fourth win for Persepolis in Group E could make qualification for the Round of 16 of the Champions League a mere formality.

Gaurs look to kick on in second half of competition

The AFC Champions League has introduced the Gaurs to a whole new level of competition where every moment and touch makes a difference. And for the most part, the Gaurs have risen to occasion to meet the challenge head on.

After a spirited display in the first half of the group stage, Juan Ferrando would look towards his men to learn their lessons and kick on from the gritty performances.

It’s take two between FC Goa and Persepolis FC and you can catch all the action live at 10:30 PM on Friday, 23 April 2021.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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A memorable piece of history was scripted in yesterday’s match against Persepolis though, as FC Goa captain Edu Bedia headed home a trademark Brandon Fernandes free-kick in the 14th minute to give his team the lead, with what will stand as the first goal scored by an Indian club in the AFC Champions League – the continent’s premier club competition.

“It is my maiden assist in the AFC Champions League and it really felt great setting up my teammate to score a historical goal. I was thinking about putting the ball in the right space and I knew that Edu will attack that space and it worked well,” Brandon told www.the-aiff.com.

With two points collected from their first three matches for FC Goa, there are still three more rounds of action to go. Looking back at his team’s displays so far, Brandon stated that his side will continue pushing in the remaining games.

“It’s definitely a great feeling and a big achievement for us to get these two points. Nobody expected us to give such a tough fight but we kept pushing and working hard, and we will continue to push ourselves in the upcoming matches,” the midfielder opined.

The Gaurs have impressed with their confident style of play in the last three matches, which has seen them create a number of scoring opportunities and brought them ever so close to picking up three points against UAE-based club Al Wahda in the second match.

“This has been the style of FC Goa all along and the priority has been to maintain the ball possession. The coach has been guiding us through various aspects especially transitions and controlling the spaces, and the team is doing very well following it all,” Brandon stated.

He stressed, “The most important thing is teamwork. You have to stick together as one. Yes, the level of competition is high but you can’t give away easily. You have to give it your all.”

In their next match in Group E, FC Goa face Persepolis once again in the reverse fixture on Friday (April 23, 2021), which will take place at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa and kick off at 10.30 PM IST.

CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA

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It has been a dream run for FC Goa till now in their maiden AFC Champions League; having scored two points in the first two games, Goa scored the opening goal of their campaign yesterday before going down to the most formidable team in their group – Persepolis.

Being the first Indian team to play in the AFC Champions League, FC Goa has already surpassed many fan’s expectations to draw their first two games and score 2 points in their debut season in the ACL. They were magnificent in their first two games, where they faced Al-Rayyan and Al Wahda. Even after being the underdogs, they have given a toe-to-toe fight to their oppositions. The credits must go to Goa’s rock-hard defence and the exceptional Dheeraj Singh in the back. The former U17 World Cup star has shown his class enough to impress everyone in India and worldwide.

Coach Juan Ferrando has studied the opponent’s high attacking gameplay, and therefore, he used the strategy to play defensive. He also made sure that they make the most out of counter-attacks. In the starting two games, the Gaurs almost scored in both of them, but luck wasn’t on their side. In the first game Goa earned a clear penalty, but the referee’s decision went in Al-Rayyan’s favour, and in the second game, Brandon Fernandes almost scored, but it hit the post.

Captain Edu Bedia has held the midfield excellently, while Brandon Fernandes, Glan Martins and Jorge Ortiz have shown enough spark to carve out a couple of good chances. Defender Ivan Gonzalez and James Donachie both have done well in the defence to keep their much-fancied opponents at bay.

Meanwhile, one player who stands out is the wall of FC Goa Dheeraj Singh! He has been simply unbeatable, as he kept two clean sheets in the first two games earning himself a place in the best XI of AFC Champions League match-day one.

Gaurs third encounter was up against the Iranian giants Persepolis. Against all odds, Goa took an early lead and scored their first-ever goal in the AFC Championship League. Brandon Fernandes’s sumptuous free-kick was well headed into the net by captain Edu Bedia.

In the first 15 minutes, Goa looked sharp and almost scored a second goal immigrated following the opener. But this scenario was soon changed as Persepolis showed why they are the best in Asia, scoring two goals in the next ten minutes.

Soon, the Iranian side took charge of the proceedings with their quick movements and attacking gameplay, but this was handled very well by Ferrando’s men, with Dheeraj once again stepping up his game, including an excellent Penalty save to keep his side in the match.

Despite the close loss, Goa will be pleased with their display so far and will be pumped up to play the same opponent again on Friday with the knowledge that they can breach their defences. They are currently 3^rd in Group E and will hopefully look to finish in the top two places to make their way in the quarter-finals!

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The Gaurs made a couple of changes to their starting eleven for this game, with Saviour Gama and Adil Khan getting the nod.

In an all-action start to the game, FC Goa came off the blocks the quickest, scoring in the 13th minute as Edu Bedia, who had earlier earned the free-kick, outfoxed the Persepolis defence with a smart run and headed-finish to put the Gaurs in the lead.

A couple of minutes later, it could have been 2-0 to the Gaurs with Edu Bedia and Brandon Fernandes again combining delightfully to open up the opposition defence. Brandon, though, was denied his time under the spotlight as Hamed Lak pulled off an incredible save from close range to keep his side in the game.

The Iranian made Goa pay for not making the most of the opportunity as they hit back to draw level in the 16th minute after James Donachie was deemed to have committed a foul in the penalty box. Mehdi Torabi stepped up to the plate for Persepolis to slot it home for his side.

Playing in their home red, Persepolis turned up the pressure on the Goa defence following their equaliser. That pressure finally bore fruit in the 24th minute of the game as Seyed Jalal Hosseini’s header put the designated home side in front.

The side from Iran threatened with their sharp movement and passes as they nearly doubled their lead in the 39th minute. The in-form Dheeraj Singh would, however, thwart Vahid Amiri’s strike after Persepolis had sieved through the Goan defence one more time.

Dheeraj would again come up trumps for the Gaurs a few minutes later, this time, saving Hossein Kanani’s strike from the spot which was low, hard and straight down the middle.

The second half saw Persepolis create a number of chances yet again, but were thwarted on each occasion thanks to some excellent rear-guard action from the FC Goa defence.

The Gaurs, on their end, were able to conjure up some promising spells where Juan Ferrando’s men entrusted their passing and movement to find spaces as they searched for an equaliser. They, though, had to settle for only one shot on target in the second forty-five as their first loss of the campaign finally became an eventuality.

FC Goa would, though, take much heart from their spirited display before taking on the same opponents in three days time. Juan Ferrando’s men currently stand third in the group after Al Wahda completed a come-from-behind win to defeat Al-Rayyan.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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The Gaurs, representing India in the apex continental club competition for the first time, have surprised one and all with their performance, and currently sit in second spot on the Group E table, with two points from as many games. However, they now face the 2020 ACL runners-up Persepolis, who occupy top-spot on the table, having won both their games so far.

“Nothing more than maybe arguably the toughest test of my career. They come with a reputation which is earned and now it is our turn to grow further and earn a reputation of our own. I am really looking forward to the game,” said Glan Martins. “We are going to enjoy the moment for now but we have to mentally put the results behind and prepare for Persepolis.”

The side from Iran are themselves wary of the threat that the Indian side poses, having troubled both Al Rayyan (Qatar) and Al Wahda (UAE) in the first two matches. Martins believes that the mental effort involved in matches against such teams, is what has helped Goa thus far.

“The level, of course, is higher. More than just the physical effort, we have to be mentally focused all the time as any weakness will be punished at this level. And the hard work, that cannot be attributed to one player, we all have to put our best foot forward and keep helping each other,” said the midfielder.

The 26-year-old has been receiving praises from all quarters in recent times, with the Al Wahda FC head coach Henk ten Cate saying, “He’s a very good midfielder. I saw him, and I liked him a lot”. However, Martins chose to stay humble amidst such praises.

“Well, I will say I am flattered. I am happy that I can be a big enough problem for other teams that their coach has taken note. All this is great and we are enjoying the moment but we still have four tough matches to look forward to,” Martins quipped.

Glan Martins is someone who has moved forward through the ranks in Indian Football. He burst onto the scene with Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the Hero I-League 2019-20 season and followed that up with a move to the Hero ISL by signing with ATK Mohun Bagan, before making a mid-season move to FC Goa, where he has been shining not only on the domestic level, but on the continental arena as well.

“Well, each of the leagues come with a challenge of its own. And I feel, whichever team I have played for in the leagues I have been in, I have always given my all. And I continue to do so. A crucial thing for me is the desire to get better. Even after two good results (in the ACL), I want to improve more,” said Glan.

The 26-year-old further stated that the meticulous attention to detail at Goa has helped him improve as a player.

“The AFC Champions League needs you to be at your best. After coming to FC Goa, I feel it has been a move that has really helped me grow as a player. We have a ready plan ahead of every game. We study what they do and put in a plan in practice. This meticulous attention to details was not there earlier and that has really helped me blossom,” he said.

CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA

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Having played two matches each, Persepolis currently stand at the top of Group E of the AFC Champions League with six points to their name. However, debutants FC Goa have been a surprise package, as they occupy second spot on the table, having earned two points from two goalless draws. Now, the top two sides in Group E are all set to face-off against each other at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, a match that kicks-off at 10.30 PM IST on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

“I saw both their matches, and they have been really working (hard), and been running a lot. It’s (FC Goa’s position on the table) not only surprising for us, but also for everyone else in the ACL,” said Golmohammadi on the eve of the match.

“From the mental aspect, they are on a real high, and they have been doing well on the technical aspect as well. It is not by accident that they stopped two good teams. They did it on merit,” continued Golmohammadi. “It will not be easy against them tomorrow. We need to concentrate hard because our rivals are very good at counter-attacking.”

Meanwhile, FC Goa have been riding the high waves after two draws against strong sides like Al Rayyan and Al Wahda. Ahead of their match against Persepolis, FC Goa head coach Juan Ferrando said that it was akin to a “dream” for his side.

“This (playing at this level) is like a dream come true for us. We are just taking it game by game,” said Ferrando. “For us, it’s all about the Persepolis game right now. We are taking it game by game, and we are focused.”

FC Goa’s goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who has impressed one and all with his performances, keeping two clean sheets in as many ACL appearances so far, believes that the playing time he has got at FC Goa has helped build his confidence.

“The World Cup (FIFA U-17) was a big thing for me, and that certainly helped build confidence. But for a young goalkeeper like me, it’s important to keep playing games. Luckily, I have been able to do that since I came to FC Goa,” said Dheeraj.

While he has faced difficult times in the recent seasons, Dheeraj feels that they have helped transform him into a better player.

“You don’t get everything as a player, and you need to use the difficult moments as a learning process as a player and as a human being,” said Dheeraj. “Since I’ve moved to Goa, I have worked hard, and the coach loves that I do that and play my natural game. That has helped me regain my confidence.”

While Goa currently occupy second spot in Group E, merely a second-place finish in the Group Stage does not guarantee qualification into the knockout stage. Only three best second-placed teams from the West Asian Groups – Groups A, B, C, D and E – will progress to the knockout stage. However, Ferrando is not thinking that far ahead about qualification just yet.

“From my point of view, the most important game is the next one, and we play Persepolis next. I love this competition, but we need to take it step by step. We will try to get more points, but it’s about the mentality. The players need this experience (of playing at this level),” stated Ferrando.

“It will not be easy, because Persepolis have a lot of experience already in the ACL. It is necessary in this case, that we work three times more than them. At the end, we need to maintain focus every second, tomorrow, or we may have big problems,” he said.

CREDITS: AIFF MEDIA

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Goa, April 19, 2021: FC Goa will take on Persepolis FC in their third AFC Champions League encounter on Tuesday night, looking to build on their momentum after securing a draw in each of their two games in the competition.

Ahead of this titanic clash, let’s take a look at how the two teams compare, and who could be the men capable of making a difference.

A new-look, defiant FC Goa

If there is one word to define FC Goa’s AFC Champions League campaign so far it is defiant. Nobody really gave the Gaurs much of a chance to make a mark at the continental stage heading into this tournament, but the results have proved otherwise.

Two straight goalless draws have left the Men in Orange in second place in their group as they have well and truly set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Goa are the only team yet to concede a goal out of the four teams in Group E, but know that they will need to start looking promising in attack if they are to get any further in the continental tournament.

“It is important to score goals,” said FC Goa Head Coach Juan Ferrando ahead of the game against Persepolis.

“But at the same time it is difficult. We are going to face a very tough team in Persepolis. We are taking things one step and one game at a time.

“Every game we’ve played in the AFC Champions League is important. For now, the most important game for me is tomorrow against Persepolis.

“The only way for us to improve as FC Goa is to play in this competition and face these tough opponents like Persepolis, Al Wahda and Al Rayyan. The exposure we get will help us develop further and Indian football as well.”

Devendra Murgaonkar impressed off the bench for the Gaurs against Al Wahda, while Glan Martins, James Donachie and Dheeraj Singh were all equally impressive, making them a very hard team to beat.

Juan Ferrando, though, will be missing the services of the hard-working Alexander Romario Jesuraj after the winger picked up a booking in each of his last two games.

Persepolis looks to carry on their merry run

FC Goa take on Iranian side Persepolis FC, who are no strangers to life in the AFC Champions League. The side finished runners up in the 2018 and 2020 editions of the Champions League, and are already setting the pace in Group E as well.

Persepolis have won two games out of two, and easily look like the strongest outfit in a group that was considered one of the toughest when the draw was prepared. The defending Iran Pro League champions were 1-0 victors in their first game against Al Wahda, and came from behind to defeat Al Rayyan 3-1 in their second outing, grabbing six points out of a possible six.

Persepolis are also unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, and also boast of the best offensive record in Group E thus far, scoring four times and conceding just once.

Shahriar Moghanlou scored twice in the game against Al Rayyan, while Seyed Jalal Hosseini has been solid at the back for Persepolis, even scoring against Al Wahda in the team’s first Group E match. These two are just a couple out of some very dangerous players in the Iranian Champions’ rich squad.

Clash of the titans

This is a big game in many ways. Iran and India both have populations that live for sport, and a competitive fire has been brewing between both sides ever since it was confirmed that FC Goa would be India’s first representatives in the Champions League.

The tightest defence meets the highest scoring side in Group E, and this promises to be a contest worth waiting for.

Make sure you catch all the action as these titans collide live at 10:30 PM on Tuesday, April 20.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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A more open game than the tournament opener for Juan Ferrando’s men, the Men In Orange brought about a few moments of brilliance on both sides of the field to eke out the result. However, one would be forgiven to think that they deserved more with Brandon Fernandes hitting the upright and Devendra Murgaokar forcing the Al Wahda keeper into a fantastic save.

The Gaurs named an unchanged eleven from the side that started the first game of the tournament against Al Rayyan, hoping that a similar or better result could follow this time around too.

Once the game began, FC Goa threatened straight away, with Ishan Pandita making contact from a header following a cross from the left flank. His effort though wasn’t the precise one he was looking for. The early signs though were surely positive.

Al Wahda grew into the half, mounting their first big threat in the 23rd minute. Fares Juma headed a corner towards goal, but Dheeraj Singh comfortably held on as Goa absorbed the pressure. Jorge Ortiz fired one from distance five minutes later, but his shot was well over the bar and no trouble for Al Wahda.

The visitors did force a couple of more saves from Dheeraj before the end of the first half, first by Khalil Ibrahim  and then Tim Matavz taking aim from just inside the box only to see Dheeraj come out trump on both occasions to keep it even even-steven heading into the break.

In the second period, it was the Men in Orange who came out with more gusto, and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 54th minute of the match. The introduction of Devendra Murgaonkar from the bench made all the difference as his good work finally set up a shot for Brandon Fernandes, but the Goan’s fierce effort struck the post instead of nestling into the bottom corner.

It was a huge let-off for Al Wahda, who took the game to the Gaurs soon after, with Omar Khirbin seeing his header from point blank range saved by Dheeraj in the 66th minute.

FC Goa were in no mood to relent, however, as the impressive Devendra once again wreaked havoc inside the Emirati side’s penalty box, nearly making it 1-0 in the 73rd minute. A lovely ball in from Brandon down the right found the former Salgaocar man, but the effort from his outstretched leg was saved well by Al Wahda goalkeeper Mohamed Al Shamsi.

At the other end, Dheeraj’s heroics continued as he first saved a free kick from opposition captain Ismail Matar in the 78th minute, and then kept out two late efforts in stoppage time.

The young goalkeeper first saved brilliantly from Omar Khirbin in the 90th minute, and was helped out by Seriton Fernandes, who blocked the follow-up shot from Lee Myung-joo. Just four minutes later, Dheeraj punched the air in delight as he once again kept out a header from Omar right at the end, following a sloppy giveaway of possession.

In the end, FC Goa managed to hold on for yet another historic result, and can now boast of an unbeaten start to life in the AFC Champions League.

The Gaurs return to action in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 April as they take on Iranian giants Persepolis at the Fatorda with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 PM.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

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Also Read: FC Goa vs AL Wahda: 5 key battles to watch out for

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