FC Goa vs Al Zawraa HIGHLIGHTS, AFC Champions League 2 Group D: Gaurs suffers 0-2 defeat against Gulls in opener

Goa will travel to Tajikistan to challenge FC Istiklol in its next match on October 1, while Al Zawraa will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. 

With this defeat FC Goa is currently last in Group D. 

The referee blows the final whistle and Goa suffers a loss on its AFC Champions League 2 group d opener. 

The Gaurs threw everything at the Iraqi side but couldn’t quite find the final bit of quality, while Al Zawraa took its chances to take home all three points. 

Goa had 20 shots on the night but only managed to find the target twice, both of them were timid attempts. 

On the other hand, Zawraa scored twice from its seven shorts on target. 

Nizar Al-Rashdan scores through a forest of legs and beats Hritwik Tiwari on the near post. 

Sivero’s header is off target yet again. It has been a disappointing game for the Spanish attacker. 

Goa survived second time through the woodwork. The Gaurs are riding their luck in defence, while they couldn’t find any going forward. 

Al Zawraa players are wasting time which is irritating the FC Goa players. 

Drazic earns another corner for Goa. The Gaurs are still in it. 

Goa is creating a lot of chances but its finishing is not up to the mark. 

Brison fails to finish yet another brilliant team move. 

Apart from the flurry of attacks in the first minute, the Iraqi club has been reduced to only defending so far in this half. 

Another free kick for Goa. 

FC Goa substitution - Brison comes in for Udanta. 

Udanta is fouled near the right corner flag and Goa gets another crack at set piece. 

Borja from the right flank finds Siverio inside the box but Spanish striker failed to generate any power in his acrobatic attempt. 

Once again Borja causing problems for Al Zawraa. Free kick from a promising position for Goa. 

Goa substitute Ayush Chetri’s shot is saved by Jalal. Corner for Gaurs. 

Ayush replaced Guarrotxena.

The second half is underway at the Fatorda Stadium. 

The referee blows for the halftime. 

So many attempts from FC Goa. So many crosses from Manolo Marquez’s side but the Iraqi side takes the lead after the first period. 

Goa had a very proactive start to the match, while the visiting side was resorted to attempting long rangers. However, with time, Al Zawraa grew in confidence and broke the deadlock right at the end of the first 45 minutes. 

The Indian club has to be more clinical in the second half and be m9ore assured at the back in the second essay if it wants to get any points from this encounter. 

Two minutes added on. 

Bitang gets a yellow. 

Reziq Bani Hani breaks Goa’s resolve. 

The striker’s first shot is blocked but he somehow defects the ball inside the goal from the second chance. 

Tiwari with a brilliant diving save to deny Nizar’s header from a free kick. 

The game has completely lost its pace in the last five minutes. Several fouls are being committed by players of both side.

Al Zawraa is enjoying the lion share of possession but are finding it difficult to break Goa’s defensive shape. 

Boris with a brilliant run from the right flank finds Borja in space but the latter’s shot is blocked. 

Handball against Al Zawraa defender. A chance for Gaurs to break the deadlock from set piece. 

Al Zawraa is finding more space in the attacking third. 

Tiwari is reminding that to his colleagues. 

Goa is forcing Al Zawraa to attempt long rangers. 

After a fast start, the game has lost its pace for a bit as both sides try to find their feet. 

Aside a timid few initial minutes, Goa has looked the better side so far. Marquez’s men are playing direct, while keeping a deed defensive line.

Nizar gets a yellow for a nasty challenge on Drazic just outside the box. Free kick for Goa from a dangerous position. 

Drazic’s finds Siverio with an inch perfect cross from the left flank but the header is off target. 

Boris’ cross from the right flank goes just over Siverio. Goa on the attack and gets the first corner of the match. 

Qasim Majid hits the woodwork. Al Zawraa just carved through the Goa defence with ease. What a let off for the Indian club. 

Both teams are trying to settle in. Goa is happy to let Al Zawraa play long balls. 

FC Goa in its traditional orange shirts and blue shorts against the Gulls, who are in their all white kit. 

Nizar attempts the first shot of the match and hits the top of the bar. 

The AFC Champions League 2 Group D match between India’s FC Goa and Al Zawraa of Iraq is underway at Fotorda Stadium. 

Both teams are ready to rumble. They are lined up inside the tunnel.

Live action will begin soon. 

Goa has gone with a 4-4-2 system with Timor sitting in the base of a midfield diamond. Siverio and Guarrotxena are starting up front got Manolo’s Gaurs. 

On the other hand, the Iraqi team has gone for a double pivot in front of the defence, while Reziq Hani is leading its attack. 

Jalal (gk); Maytham, Akram H, Dhurgham, Kadhim; Mahdi, Hasan, Mohammed Qasim, , Clarence, Nizar; Reziq 

Hritwik Tiwari (gk); Pol Moreno, Akash Sangwan, Nim Dorjee, Boris; Timor Sva, Borja Gonzalez, Dejan Drazic, Udanta Singh; Siverio, Iker Guarrotxena (c) 

Big news - India international Sandesh Jhingam, who picked up an injury during the CAFA Nations is not starting the match but is among the substitutes for Manolo Marquez’s team.

In the AFC Champions League 2, FC Goa is in the group with Iraq’s Al Zawraa, FC Istiklol of Tajikistan and Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr. 

The FC Goa vs Al Zawraa AFC Champions League 2 match will start at 7:15 PM IST on Wednesday, September 17 at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa.

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the AFC Champions League 2 Group D match between India’s FC Goa and Al Zawraa of Iraq being played in Goa on Wednesday.