FC Goa Edge Past Al Seeb to Seal AFC Champions League 2 Group Stage Spot

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FC Goa marked a triumphant return to continental football with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Oman's Al Seeb Club in the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, on Wednesday.

The win secures the Gaurs' place in the group stage, joining fellow Indian Super League side Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who qualified directly by winning the ISL Shield last season.

The visitors, 2022 AFC Cup champions, started brightly and put the home defence under immediate pressure. In the opening minutes, Pol Moreno was forced into an important intervention, while Zahir Al Aghbari saw his close-range attempt denied. Al Seeb continued to look threatening, with Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali testing FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari midway through the first half.

Despite the early scares, Goa settled into their rhythm and broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. A perfectly timed long ball from Borja Herrera found Dejan Drazic on the left. The Serbian midfielder skipped past his marker before producing a deft chip over the advancing keeper, Ahmed Al Khamisi, to send the home fans into raptures.

After the break, FC Goa's attacking intent remained clear. In the 52nd minute, Drazic once again troubled Al Seeb's defence, forcing a sharp save from Al Rawahi. From the resulting corner, Herrera delivered an inviting cross, and Javier Siverio rose highest to nod the ball home, doubling the Gaurs' advantage.

Al Seeb, however, refused to back down. Just eight minutes later, Nasser Al-Rawahi capitalised on a precise cutback from Ali Al Busaidi to slot in from close range, halving the deficit. The Omani side pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Goa's backline, marshalled by Moreno, held firm until the final whistle.

The result marks FC Goa's first entry into an AFC group stage since their historic AFC Champions League debut in 2021. The Gaurs will now await the group stage draw on Friday, with fans hopeful of another memorable continental campaign.

This victory not only reinforces FC Goa's stature in Indian football but also underlines their growing pedigree in Asian competitions.