Under the floodlights at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, FC Goa put up a spirited show but ultimately fell 1–2 to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr FC in their AFC Champions League Two Group D clash on Wednesday night. Despite being outplayed for large parts of the game, the Indian Super League (ISL) side showed grit and heart against a star-studded opponent — and even managed to score the first goal Al-Nassr have conceded in the competition this season.
A Tough Start Against the Saudi Powerhouse
From the opening whistle, Al-Nassr asserted their dominance. Controlling a massive 79% of the ball, Jorge Jesus’ men dictated the tempo, moving the ball with trademark precision and forcing Goa to sit deep in defense.
The breakthrough came early, as Angelo Borges fired a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box in the 10th minute to make it 1–0. Barely 17 minutes later, Haroune Camara doubled the lead, showcasing composure inside a crowded penalty area to slot past Hrithik Tiwari.
Goa’s Fighting Spirit Shines Through
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the visitors. A forced change in the 25th minute — with Brison Fernandes replacing the injured Javier Siverio — turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Gaurs. The local youngster made an instant impact, adding energy to the midfield and pressing high whenever Goa regained possession.
Fernandes’ persistence paid off just before halftime. Latching onto a clever through ball from Borja Herrera, the Goan midfielder cut inside his marker and curled a precise finish into the far corner — registering FC Goa’s first-ever goal in this ACL Two campaign and cutting Al-Nassr’s lead in half.
A Brave Second Half Effort
The second half saw a more measured approach from Al-Nassr, who shifted gears from relentless pressing to calculated control. They came close to restoring their two-goal cushion through Marran, but his effort went wide after connecting with Sultan’s teasing cross.
Manolo Marquez responded with more attacking intent, introducing Ayush Chhetri and Abdul Rabeeh to inject pace and drive. The changes almost worked wonders — Boris Singh came agonisingly close to an equaliser, only to be denied by the flag after his effort was ruled offside.
A Narrow Miss, but Pride Intact
In the final stretch, Goa chased the game with determination. Rabeeh’s energetic runs down the right flank unsettled the Saudi defence, yet the final touch proved elusive. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 1–2 — a narrow loss, but one that showcased the ISL side’s resilience and character.
Despite sitting at the bottom of Group D, FC Goa earned respect with their fearless display against one of Asia’s elite clubs. Al-Nassr, meanwhile, continued their unbeaten run and remained firmly on top of the group standings.
What’s Next
The Gaurs now prepare for the return leg in Riyadh on November 5 — a fixture that promises another test of courage and tactical discipline. For FC Goa, this performance may have ended in defeat, but it underlined a growing belief that Indian clubs can hold their own on Asia’s grandest stage.
