When the draw for the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) 2025/26 was announced, one pairing caught the imagination FC Goa vs Al Nassr.
For fans, the prospect of the Indian club facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s team was a dream headline. Reality struck soon after: Ronaldo, expected to skip all away games in the competition, will not be coming to India. Even so, the Gaurs’ group stage journey promises drama, quality football, and a stern examination of their continental credentials.
FC Goa secured their ACL2 berth by navigating a tricky qualifying campaign. Drawn in the West Region qualifiers, they faced Al Seeb Club of Oman in the playoff. It was a high-pressure, one-off tie where a single lapse could end the dream. Under coach Manolo Márquez, Goa delivered a disciplined yet adventurous performance, winning 2–1 to clinch their spot in the main draw.
This qualification means India will have two clubs in the ACL2 group stage for the first time a sign of Indian football’s growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
In the ISL 2024/25 season, FC Goa finished fourth in the league phase before falling in the playoffs. Their football under Márquez has been defined by fluid passing, possession-based build-up, and a willingness to press high. Goa’s style remains distinct within Indian football they are not overly physical but rely on technical ability and quick interchanges to break opponents down.
The squad features a mix of experienced foreigners and promising domestic talents. Noah Sadaoui, the Moroccan forward, remains the attacking talisman, capable of drifting wide, cutting inside, and creating chaos in the box. Brandon Fernandes, the long-serving midfield orchestrator, offers vision and set-piece delivery, while Carlos Martínez provides a focal point in attack. At the back, Sandesh Jhingan brings leadership, and Dheeraj Singh remains a reliable presence in goal.
Group D – The Challenge Ahead
FC Goa’s Group D contains:
- Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
- Kuwait SC (Kuwait)
- Al Kahrabaa Club (Iraq)
Each opponent brings a different challenge from world-class individuals to experienced continental campaigners and unpredictable battlers.
Al Nassr – The Star Power
Even without Ronaldo for the away tie in Goa, Al Nassr are formidable. Runners-up in the Saudi Pro League, they boast an elite roster including Sadio Mané, Otávio, and Aymeric Laporte. Under Portuguese coach Luís Castro, they deploy a possession-heavy 4-2-3-1, controlling midfield and attacking with width. In Riyadh, Goa will face a massive challenge the key will be defensive organization and making the most of counter-attacks.
Kuwait SC – The Cup Kings
A club with 18 Kuwaiti league titles and multiple AFC Cup triumphs, Kuwait SC are serial winners. They blend foreign quality — such as Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Dhaouadi — with disciplined domestic players. In continental competitions, they are pragmatic: compact defence, sharp in transition. Goa’s best chance might come at Fatorda, where home advantage could tip the balance.
Al Kahrabaa Club – The Gritty Outsiders
The Iraqi Premier League runners-up earned their place in ACL2 through resilience rather than star power. Known for their work rate and intensity, they can frustrate technically superior opponents by breaking up play and exploiting set pieces. Travelling to Iraq will test Goa’s mental toughness as much as their tactics.
Márquez faces a tactical dilemma: stick to Goa’s expansive philosophy or adapt to the physical, direct style common in West Asian football. While Goa’s passing game is their identity, the continental stage often demands pragmatism especially away from home. Expect Goa to use a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 in home games, pressing high to unsettle opponents. Away, a more compact mid-block with quick counters through Sadaoui and Martínez could be the plan. The fitness and discipline of Goa’s midfield trio often Brandon, Edu Bedia, and Glan Martins will be critical.
This isn’t Goa’s first brush with continental football. In 2021, they became the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage, finishing unbeaten at home but failing to progress. The lessons from that campaign remain relevant: tight matches are often decided by fine margins, and avoiding costly defensive lapses is as important as scoring. For Goa’s younger players, ACL2 is a platform to test themselves against higher tempo, stronger opposition. The experience can accelerate their development and deepen India’s talent pool.
Home Fortress Fatorda Stadium
The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda has long been a Goa stronghold. Under lights, the compact 20,000-seater creates an intense atmosphere, with fans known for their vocal and colorful support. In the group stage, making Fatorda a fortress is non-negotiable. Wins at home keep qualification hopes alive, especially when away points are hard to come by in West Asia.
The Road to Knockouts
In ACL2, only the group winners and the best-placed runners-up progress. For Goa, that means at least three wins are likely needed. The blueprint could look like this:
- Beat Al Kahrabaa at home and target an away draw.
- Edge Kuwait SC at home and stay compact away.
- Contain Al Nassr in Goa and focus on damage limitation in Riyadh.
Achieving this will require not just tactical discipline but also avoiding injuries and suspensions in a tightly scheduled ISL and ACL2 calendar. Goa’s campaign, alongside Mohun Bagan’s, represents a rare opportunity for India to make a mark on continental football beyond the South Asian zone. Positive performances can influence the AFC’s perception of Indian clubs, potentially impacting future slot allocations. It can also inspire domestic players to believe they belong at this level.
Moreover, facing sides from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq exposes Goa’s players to varied footballing cultures and playing conditions an education that no domestic fixture list can replicate.
Realistically, Al Nassr are group favourites. Kuwait SC’s experience makes them the second-strongest on paper, leaving Goa to battle for second place and hope it’s enough to qualify. But football isn’t played on paper Goa’s pace in transition, technical quality in midfield, and home advantage can tilt results their way. For the Gaurs, ACL2 is both a challenge and an opportunity: a chance to prove that Indian clubs can compete toe-to-toe with Asia’s seasoned campaigners, and to give their passionate supporters nights to remember. If they can combine the flair of their domestic identity with the pragmatism continental football demands, there’s every reason to believe they can spring a surprise.
