It was one of those nights where heart and fight just weren't enough. Under the bright lights of the Al-Zawra Stadium in Baghdad, our very own FC Goa traveled with hopes of salvaging their AFC Champions League 2 campaign. But in a dramatic, tense encounter, they ultimately fell 1-2 to the home side, Al Zawraa, bringing their continental journey to a heartbreaking close.
Key Highlights
- ✓ FC Goa suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Iraqi side Al Zawraa SC in Baghdad.
- ✓ The loss marked Goa's fifth straight defeat, officially ending their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage.
- ✓ A pivotal moment came when Akash Sangwan was sent off with a second yellow card, reducing Goa to ten men.
- ✓ Goa fought back with an own goal but Hasan Abdulkareem Sayyid scored the decisive winner for the home side.
- ✓ Despite the results, coach Manolo Marquez praised the team's competitive spirit throughout the campaign.
Setting the Scene: A Tough Road to Baghdad
Let’s be honest, the road to this match was anything but smooth for the Gaurs. Coming into this game, the results didn't quite tell the whole story. Four straight defeats, including tough battles against some of Asia’s best—yes, even Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr—left them with zero points. Yet, anyone who watched those games saw a team that put up a spirited fight every single time.
Head coach Manolo Marquez carried a quiet confidence into this last away game. He knew the odds were stacked against them, but he wasn't throwing in the towel. "It’s just the fifth game in the competition," he said before the match. "They have a chance, and we still have small chances to qualify, if we win both games." That glimmer of hope was exactly what the team, and the fans, were holding onto.
The players felt it too. Experienced winger Udanta Singh put it perfectly: "For all of us, it is an important game... It’s not about winning or losing, but we must give everything on the field." And that's precisely what they did when the whistle blew for kickoff at 9:30 PM.
A Bright Start Before the Storm
For the first half-hour, FC Goa looked sharp and full of intent. They weren't just sitting back; they were playing positive, attacking football in a tricky away fixture. You could see the combinations working, especially down the left flank where Borja Herrera and Akash Sangwan were causing all sorts of trouble with their link-up play and constant energy.
Brison Fernandes was lively on the right, and the deliveries into the box kept creating openings for Borja, Dejan Drazic, and Iker Guarrotxena. It felt like a breakthrough was coming. They were slicing through the Al Zawraa backline and looked the more threatening side. But as we all know, football can turn on a dime.
Then came the moment that changed the entire rhythm of the game. Around the 36th minute, drama unfolded. Al Zawraa were awarded a penalty, and to make matters worse, Akash Sangwan received his second yellow card of the night. Suddenly, Goa were down to 10 men. It was a massive blow. In a huge let-off, Al Zawraa's Ibrahim, who had scored nine goals last season, sent the penalty wide. A collective sigh of relief, but the damage was done.
A Rollercoaster of Goals and Heartbreak
Al Zawraa made their numerical advantage count almost immediately. Just four minutes after the red card, in the 38th minute, 22-year-old Kadhim Raad Albu-Mohammed was left completely unmarked. He made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. It was a tough pill to swallow after such a promising start.
But if you thought the Gaurs would fold, you don't know this team. They came out for the second half with renewed focus. Then, in the 51st minute, something incredible happened. A teasing free-kick from Goa caused chaos in the Al Zawraa box, and defender Dhurgham Ismael accidentally turned the ball into his own net. It was a huge slice of luck, but Goa didn't care one bit. Against all odds, they were level at 1-1!
For a while, the game flowed end-to-end, with both sides creating chances. But the strain of being a man down eventually showed. In the 65th minute, Al Zawraa’s number 10, Hasan Abdulkareem Sayyid, stepped up and finished confidently to restore his side's lead. Goa's defense was caught stretched, and he made them pay. Despite some late defensive heroics from Sandesh Jhingan, the Gaurs couldn't find another way back, as substitutions failed to make an impact and possession was repeatedly lost.
What's Next for the Gaurs?
This fifth defeat in five matches officially brings an end to FC Goa's qualification hopes in the AFC Champions League 2. It’s a tough outcome, especially considering the competitive performances they put in. The results sheet won't show the grit, the near misses, or the valuable experience gained against top-tier Asian clubs.
Their continental assignment isn't quite over yet, though. They have one final home game on December 24 against Istikol, a chance to finish the campaign on a strong note and give the home fans something to cheer about. Before that, their focus will shift to domestic competition, with a massive semifinal clash in the AIFF Super Cup against Mumbai City FC on December 4. It's a quick turnaround and a chance to channel the lessons learned on the Asian stage into a push for silverware back home.
Conclusion
In the end, it was a night of what-ifs for FC Goa in Baghdad. They showed up with purpose and played with courage, but a costly red card ultimately proved to be their undoing. The 1-2 loss to Al Zawraa stings, but the campaign, while winless, was a testament to their fighting spirit. They stood toe-to-toe with strong opponents and left everything on the field, which is all you can really ask for.
