16th Sept, Fatorda: FC Goa return to Asia’s elite stage this week as the Gaurs face Iraqi giants Al Zawraa in their AFC Champions League Two group opener. It will be FC Goa’s second continental campaign after their 2020/21 adventure—played behind closed doors—and the first chance for fans to witness the club under the Fatorda lights on Asia’s biggest night.
Head coach Manolo Marquez, now in his third season, brings a side forged in resilience. Goa booked their spot the hard way, edging Al Seeb 2–1 in last month’s preliminary round. They now enter a daunting group featuring Saudi heavyweights Al Nassr and Tajikistan’s Ishtiqlol FC, underlining their underdog status and the scale of the challenge.
Squad-wise, there are fitness concerns. India international Sandesh Jhingan continues to recover from a facial injury sustained on national duty and faces a late assessment. Marquez is expected to lean on all six of his foreign players, with David Timor, Pol Moreno, and Javi Siverio—all impressive on debut—set to provide steel and craft through the spine of the side. Goa’s blueprint is clear: midfield control, compact defensive distances, and set-piece discipline against a physically imposing opponent.
Al Zawraa, meanwhile, arrive with pedigree and momentum. A summer rebuild brought in 12 signings and head coach Abdul Ghani Shahzad, while the Baghdad club boasts up to eight Iraq internationals, including national captain and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. With striker Reziq Bani Hani and playmaker Mohammed Qasim pulling strings, their aerial power and second-ball dominance make dead-ball moments and defensive transitions crucial zones for Goa to manage.
Key battles loom large: Timor’s screening work against Qasim’s movement, Moreno’s duels with Bani Hani, and Siverio’s penalty-box craft against Hassan’s command in goal. Goa will look to stretch Al Zawraa’s compact block with width, quick switches of play, and third-man runs. Pressing triggers around the first pass and aggressive counter-pressing could generate high-value chances, while calm build-up to draw fouls in advanced zones may turn set pieces into opportunities.
For Al Zawraa, this marks their sixth appearance in Asia’s premier competition, secured via a league runners-up finish—proof of their domestic consistency. For FC Goa, the aim is straightforward: embrace the underdog spirit, stay compact, and seize moments in transition. With the Fatorda crowd behind them and continental football finally back in front of fans, the Gaurs will look to deliver a statement result that sets the tone for their group campaign.
