FC Goa had a settle for a degree in their fifth AFC Champions League Group E encounter in opposition to Qatar’s Al Rayyan as they conceded in direction of the loss of life and had been held to a 1-1 draw in Margao on Monday. Jorge Ortiz discovered the again of the web with a unbelievable aim as early because the third minute however only a slight miss in focus in the 89th minute meant Ali Ferydoon scored one for Al Rayyan, serving to them draw stage. Had FC Goa gained, it could have been historic as they might have been the primary Indian staff to have gained an AFC Champions League sport in the present format.
FC Goa had two nice probabilities in the second half to place the sport to mattress however had been unable to try this and had been punished by the Qatar facet. Dheeraj Singh made a match-saving save in the fifth minute of stoppage time to allow FC Goa to get a draw.
Just earlier than Al Rayyan obtained their aim, Devendra Murgaonkar went by means of on aim with a superb first contact however was unable to complete the transfer as he took a contact too many.
Ortiz was the participant of the match for his tireless effort on the pitch regardless of an injured nostril. He performed the whole thing of the aim with a bandaged nostril, scored a aim and created quite a few alternatives for the Indian membership.
FC Goa got here into the match behind a deflating 4-0 loss to Persepolis however coach Juan Ferrando had made quite a lot of modifications in that sport to maintain his gamers contemporary for the final two video games in opposition to Al Rayyan and Al Wahda. That confirmed in the match on Monday when FC Goa had the intent, they needed to go for a win.
Just like a lot of the different video games, FC Goa held their form very properly. The spacial consciousness of the gamers was excellent and so they managed to frustrate Al Rayyan. In the third minute, Ortiz obtained to the top of an extended by means of ball from Brandon Fernandes. A contact from him took it previous the onrushing keeper and he slotted the ball house.
After scoring early on, they managed to maintain Al Rayyan quiet for nearly all of the primary half. However, in direction of the top of the primary 45 minutes, Al Rayyan went arduous for a aim and it was the astuteness of Dheeraj Singh and the again 4 that FC Goa didn’t concede. Captain Edu Bedia performed a significant position in the defensive position he had simply forward of the again 4.
Both full backs in Seriton Fernandes and Sanson Pereira put up a superb present. James Donachie seemed nervy at occasions however beside Ivan Gonzalez, they held the fort.
In the second half as properly, Al Rayyan tried arduous to attain however FC Goa had been as much as the duty. Bedia, Seriton and Dheeraj had been tall denying Al Rayyan at each step of the best way. Dheeraj thwarted six makes an attempt from Al Rayyan, displaying how a lot he has improved as soon as once more.
As Al Rayyan put immense stress on FC Goa, Dheeraj and Donachie got here in one another’s method in the 89th minute and the heartbreaking aim was scored.
After the sport, FC Goa stay third with three factors from 5 matches whereas Al Rayyan are final with two factors from as many video games. The group is led by Persepolis with 12 factors in 5 matches and Al Wahda are second with 10 factors.
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