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

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: IKF announce partnership with PFSA to promote grassroots football in India

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post AFC Champions League 2021: FC Goa held to 1-1 draw by Al Rayyan appeared first on Football Counter.

Once the opening whistle blew, it was Al Rayyan who started brighter, sensing an opportunity to pounce as FC Goa played out from the back. They fashioned the first chance of the game as early as the sixth minute as Yacine Brahimi emerged with the ball in a dangerous area as the Gaurs gave away possession.

Thankfully for Ferrando’s men, his shot flew wide, but a similar opportunity presented itself just three minutes later as Yohan Boli hit the side netting following another sloppy giveaway from the home side.

Goa sorted themselves out at the back soon after and started dictating the tempo as the game went on, and had their best chance of the half just five minutes from the halftime whistle. Alexander Romario struck a ferocious effort towards goal, and it needed dealing with from Fahad Younes in the Al Rayyan goal.

Abdulaziz Hatem let fly from a distance just before the end of the first period, but his shot was wide enough not to trouble Dheeraj Singh in the Goa goal.

The Gaurs gave a good account of themselves in the first half and looked ready to mount something even better as the second half rolled in. The second period saw much the same resistance from the Men in Orange, even though the Qataris bossed much of the possession in the early stages.

Nonetheless, Goa gradually grew in confidence, with the likes of Glan Martins and Edu Bedia winning multiple midfield battles and pushing the team forward.

Dheeraj was largely unworked as Goa played on the counter, and perhaps should have had a penalty in the 76th minute as a cross from Romario down the right came looking for Ishan Pandita. The striker was convinced that the ball struck the hand of Mohammed Alaaeldin, but the referee waved play on.

Replays clearly showed the ball clearly hitting the hand of the Al Rayyan defender, but a golden opportunity to take the lead was gone.

At the other end, some desperate defending was needed in the final ten minutes, and multiple heroic efforts from Ivan Gonzalez and co in the backline kept the hosts in it.

Dheeraj made a point blank save from Boli in the 86th minute as the Ivorian found himself with a free header, while Shoja Khalilzadeh headed the ball into the side netting in the 90th minute following a deep cross from the right flank.

Despite the tiring minds and exhausted bodies, Goa displayed grit and determination to see the final tense moments out and held on to achieve a historic draw against one of the toughest teams in the competition.

FC Goa are back in action in the Champions League on April 17 against Al Wahda with kickoff scheduled for 8 PM IST.

CREDITS: FC GOA MEDIA

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Football in India is evolving at a steady pace – Abhishek Ambekar2021

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post AFC Champions League: FC Goa hold Al Rayyan to fighting draw in tournament opener appeared first on Football Counter.