Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Indian Super League side FC Goa return to Asian competition on Wednesday when they face Oman's Al Seeb Club in the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League 2, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
This will be the Gaurs’ first appearance in continental football since 2021, when they became the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage.
They qualified for this year's preliminary stage of the tournament by winning the Super Cup last season.
But they will have their task cut out against Al Seeb, who are one of Oman’s top sides.
They have won the Oman Professional League in the last two seasons and made history in 2022 by winning the AFC Cup (now AFC Champions League Two) to become the only Omani club to do so.
The match is a knockout fixture with the winner advancing to the group stage, and for the Gaurs, it’s an opportunity to extend their continental journey in front of home fans.
In their last Asian campaign, FC Goa earned three draws in a tough group featuring sides like Al Rayyan, Al Wahda and Persepolis FC. The latter reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Al Hilal FC.
FC GOA HEAD COACH MANOLO optimistic
ASSESSMENT: The FC Goa coach expressed that Al-Seeb is a strong opponent, with a squad that includes a significant number of players from the Omani national team. He acknowledged their past success, including their 2022 AFC Cup title. However, he believes that FC Goa has "possibilities to win" and that it will be an "equal game."
TEAM PREPARATION: Despite some uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Indian Super League Season, Márquez stated that his players are focused on the crucial match. He mentioned that the team's pre-season training has been a typical one, focusing on tactical, physical, mental, and technical aspects
NEW SIGNINGS: The press conference also touched upon FC Goa’s new foreign signings, David Timor and Pol Moreno. Márquez noted that they are new to Indian football and are expected to fill the void left by key players from the previous season, such as Odei Onaindia and Carl McHugh
HOME ADVANTAGE: The match is being played at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, and Márquez emphasised the importance of having a full stadium and the support of the fans
Temporary road closure due to AFC match
The Collector and District Magistrate, South Goa, has ordered the temporary road closures and diversions for holding the AFC Champions League 2 match on August 13, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, from 1 pm to till conclusion of the match.
At Ambaji junction, Margao, entire the Padre Pedro Ferrao Road from Ambaji Junction to Fatorda Junction will be closed for general traffic. Only VVIP/VIP pass holder and local resident pass holder will be allowed to proceed via this road.
At Fatorda four road junction, all roads will be closed, there will be no traffic movement except for the VIP cars and on the KTC-Fatorda Road, no vehicles will be allowed to proceed towards the stadium side. No parking zones have been designated on the main road approaching Fatorda Stadium and on main road from Ambaji Junction to Fatorda Junction (entire Padre Pedro Ferro Road).