Kolkata, December 24: FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two campaign came to an end on Tuesday evening at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, as the Gaurs went down 2–1 to Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol despite a spirited second-half fightback.
The match began in extraordinary circumstances. As the referee blew the whistle for kickoff, FC Goa’s players remained stationary for a brief moment, refusing to engage in active play. The symbolic protest was aimed at drawing global attention to the “deepening uncertainty” currently paralysing the Indian football ecosystem, a powerful statement made on the continental stage.
Once play resumed, Istiklol were the first to threaten. In the 6th minute, Paul Komolafe had an attempt blocked from close range after being set up by Amirbek Juraboev. However, it was FC Goa who struck first. In the 8th minute, Dejan Drazic produced a moment of quality, firing a right-footed shot from the left side of the box to give the Gaurs a crucial early lead.
The visitors, unfazed by the setback, responded with sustained attacking pressure. Istiklol dominated possession in the first half, enjoying nearly 59% of the ball and registering nine shots. In the 16th minute, Siavash Haghnazari came agonisingly close to equalising when his powerful left-footed effort from the centre of the box rattled the crossbar, following a clever assist from Komolafe. Two minutes later, FC Goa nearly doubled their advantage, but Nikola Stosic produced a fine save to deny Iker Guarrotxena’s long-range effort.
Despite trailing at the break, Istiklol’s intensity never dropped, and paid off soon after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Paul Komolafe found the net with a composed left-footed finish from inside the box, levelling the score at 1–1. The momentum turnaround just two minutes later when Pol Moreno handled the ball inside the penalty area and Istiklol awarded a penalty. Amirbek Juraboev stepped up and converted the penalty, to put Istiklol 2–1 ahead.
Stunned but not defeated, FC Goa pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The game opened up further after the 74th minute when Istiklol’s Qurbonov received his second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Brison Fernandes tested Stosic in the 83rd minute with a powerful effort from the left side of the box, while Abdul Rabeeh’s long-range strike in stoppage time was also kept out by the Istiklol goalkeeper. The closest Goa came to dramatic redemption arrived in the 94th minute, when Brison Fernandes attempted a shot from long during a fast break, but it also got wasted.
Despite their relentless late pressure and attacking intent in the second half, FC Goa could not find the breakthrough. The final whistle confirmed a 2–1 defeat, bringing an end to their AFC Champions League Two journey.
For the Gaurs, it was an evening that blended protest, promise, and pain, marked by moments of quality, courage, and commitment, but ultimately undone by a brief spell that turned the contest in Istiklol’s favour.
AFC Champions League 2: FC Goa vs Istiklol highlights
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