FC Goa Edge Past Al Seeb to Enter AFC Champions League 2 Group Stage
Indian Super League side FC Goa secured a place in the AFC Champions League 2 group stage with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Oman’s Al Seeb Club in the preliminary round on Wednesday.
Dejan Drazic (24′) opened the scoring with a sublime chip, and Javier Siverio (52′) doubled Goa’s advantage. Al Seeb, the 2022 AFC Cup champions, tried to mount a comeback when Nasser Al-Rawahi (60′) pulled one back, but the Gaurs held on to seal the victory.
FC Goa will join fellow ISL team Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the group stage. Mohun Bagan had already secured a direct berth by winning the 2024-25 Indian Super League Shield.
Al Seeb started aggressively, forcing early saves from FC Goa goalkeeper Pol Moreno in just the second minute, while Zahir Al Aghbari’s close-range effort was blocked.
Goa took time to settle and nearly broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Drazic went clear on the left, but his soft finish was comfortably saved by Al Seeb’s Ahmed Al Rawahi.
Al Rawahi was involved again in the 23rd minute, tackling to create space for Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali, whose curling effort was parried by FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari.
FC Goa finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Borja Herrera’s precise long pass found Drazic on the left, who evaded Al Rawahi’s challenge before delicately chipping the ball over Ahmed Al Khamisi into the net.
In the second half, FC Goa remained dominant. Drazic surged into the box in the 52nd minute, forcing Al Rawahi to parry his powerful shot. Moments later, Herrera’s corner found Siverio, who rose above the defenders to head home and extend the lead.
Al Seeb reduced the deficit in the 60th minute through Nasser Al Rawahi’s close-range strike off Ali Al Busaidi’s cutback, but FC Goa held firm to secure their place in the group stage. The Gaurs will find out their group-stage opponents on Friday.
