FC Goa conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to finish with a 1-1 draw against Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League at the Pandit Jawaharlal N...
FC Goa conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to finish with a 1-1 draw against Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
By virtue of Al Wahda’s 1-0 victory over Persepolis FC just moments earlier, Goa knew that they had lost the chance to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Champions League, but they still had pride to play for.
A more familiar looking FC Goa side took to the pitch for this game, with key players such as captain Edu Bedia, Jorge Ortiz, Brandon Fernandes and Dheeraj Singh among those making their return to the starting eleven.
That familiarity bred quality once the opening whistle blew, as Goa flew out of the blocks and took the lead just three minutes in. A long ball over the top from Brandon Fernandes wasn’t dealt with by the Al Rayyan back line, and Jorge Ortiz pounced. The Spaniard’s first attempt was thwarted by the onrushing keeper, Saud Al Hajiri, but the forward’s persistence paid off as he got first to the deflected ball before sliding the ball into the back of the net.
Defending was something Goa has done well for most parts in the tournament up until this point, and...
