FC Goa’s younger goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem emerged as one of the best goalkeeper of the group league spherical of the AFC Champions League despite the fact that his aspect didn’t advance to the knockout stage in its maiden look.
Dheeraj, who had excelled in the course of the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup at residence, made a whopping 26 saves in 5 matches to prime the goalkeeping chart of the West Zone group league stage.
“Dheeraj Singh definitely made a reputation for himself on his continental debut, pulling off a tournament-leading 26 saves in simply 5 video games, amongst them numerous memorable efforts that earned excessive reward from impressed observers,” the AFC said on its website.
Five West Zone group league matches were held simultaneously at various localised venues last month, instead of the usual home-and-away fixtures in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goa hosted the Group E matches.
The other teams in Group E were Persepolis FC of Iran, Al Rayyan of Qatar and Al Wahda of the UAE.
The East Zone group matches will be held later.
Mohammed Al Owais of Al Ahli Saudi FC made 24 saves to stand second, followed by Ahmed Basil of Al Shorta (19 saves), Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri of Esteghlal FC (18) and Adel Al Hosani of Sharjah ( 17).
Dheeraj had also won praise from opposition coaches for his stupendous work under the bar, which had contributed to FC Goa’s drawn games against Al Rayyan (twice) and Al Wahda (once).
FC Goa had finished third in Group E behind Persepolis FC and Al Wahda, with three points from three draws and three losses.
The Indian Super League side was on the verge of becoming the country’s first club to win an ACL game but conceded an 89th-minute goal against Al Rayyan to play out a 1-1 draw.
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