AFC Champions League Two 2025-26: FC Goa edge Al Seeb Club 2-1 to qualify for group stage

FC Goa secured qualification for the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 group stage with a 2-1 victory over Omani champions Al Seeb Club at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. They join Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the next round.

Despite Al Seeb Club dominating early possession and exchanges, clear chances were scarce for the visitors, while FC Goa looked dangerous from set-pieces. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Dejan Drazic received the ball in his own half, skillfully evaded the onrushing goalkeeper, and chipped the ball over a retreating defender from the edge of the box to give FC Goa a 1-0 lead. Al Seeb pressed for an equalizer but found Goa's defense compact, with their best first-half chance - a driven free-kick by Al Sulaiman Al-Busaidi - narrowly missing just before halftime.

FC Goa extended their lead seven minutes into the second half (51st minute). Dejan Drazic again initiated the move, weaving past defenders down the left and forcing a corner with a fierce shot. From the resulting short corner, Borja Herrera delivered a precise cross for Javier Siverio to head home, making it 2-0. Al Seeb Club responded on the hour mark (60th minute), with Al Sulaiman Al-Busaidi cutting the ball back from the byline for Nasser Al-Rawahi to slot home, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Goa had a chance to restore their two-goal advantage in the 71st minute, but Udanta Singh's header from a Herrera cross was blocked by the Al Seeb defense.