FC Goa booked their place in the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 group stage after defeating Al Seeb Club of Oman 2-1 in the preliminary round at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margaon, Goa on Wednesday (August 13).
Dejan Dražić and Javier Siverio scored for the Indian Super League side, who will learn their group stage opponents when the draw is held on August 15.
Al Seeb started on the front foot, threatening as early as the second minute when Nasser Al Rawahi forced FC Goa defender Pol Moreno into a sharp clearance, with Zahir Al Aghbari’s follow-up blocked. In the ninth minute, Dražić broke through on the left but his tame effort was comfortably collected by Al Seeb goalkeeper Ahmed Al Rawahi.
The visitors came close again in the 23rd minute when Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali’s curling shot was pushed away by FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari. But a minute later, the hosts took the lead — Borja Herrera’s long pass found Dražić, who skipped past his marker before chipping the ball over Ahmed Al Khamisi.
FC Goa doubled their advantage early in the second half when Herrera’s corner was met by Siverio, who outjumped the defence to head home. Al Seeb, the 2022 AFC Cup champions, pulled one back in the 60th minute through Nasser Al Rawahi’s close-range finish from an Ali Al Busaidi cutback, but could not find the equaliser.
With the result, FC Goa became the second Indian team to qualify for this season’s group stage, joining 2024-25 ISL Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
