Al Nassr Edge Past Spirited FC Goa in Thrilling AFC Champions League Two Encounter

Image Credit: FC Goa

Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr maintained their perfect record in the AFC Champions League Two with a hard fought 2-1 victory over FC Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Madgaon, Goa on Wednesday evening. Despite being without megastar Cristiano Ronaldo and stars like Sadio Mané, João Félix and Kingsley Coman not in the starting lineup, the visitors demonstrated their continental pedigree with early dominance that ultimately proved decisive.​

Al Nassr, playing in their change yellow kit, seized control from the opening whistle with Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez marshalling the backline. The Saudi Pro League outfit dominated possession throughout the match, enjoying a staggering 79% of the ball while restricting the Gaurs to just 21%. FC Goa, deployed in a deep lying 5-4-1 formation out of possession, sought to absorb pressure and hit on the counter, transitioning into a 4-3-3 shape when in possession.​

The breakthrough arrived in the 10' when 20 year old Brazilian forward Angelo Gabriel unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike from outside the box that found the top corner, leaving FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari with no chance. Al Nassr doubled their advantage in the 27' through Haroune Camara, who capitalized on Ayman Yahya's cross from the left, steadying himself amid a crowded penalty area before slotting home.​

Just as the match appeared destined for a comfortable Al Nassr victory, local hero Brison Fernandes etched his name in Indian football history. The 24 year old Goan, introduced as an early substitute following an injury to Javier Siverio, received a perfectly weighted through ball from Borja Herrera in the 41'. Fernandes beat his marker with intelligent movement, surged into the box, and composed himself before curling a right footed finish past Brazilian goalkeeper Bento. The Fatorda Stadium erupted in celebration as Fernandes became the first Indian player ever to score in the AFC Champions League Two.​

The second half saw Al Nassr introduce their star reinforcements at the 65' mark, with Mané and Felix entering the fray to restore control. Moments later, FC Goa nearly found an equalizer when Fernandes threaded a clever pass to Boris Singh Thangjam, but the wing-back's effort was saved by Bento, with the assistant referee having already raised the offside flag.​

The contest ended on a controversial note for the hosts when captain David Timor received a straight red card in stoppage time for kicking the ball towards the assistant referee in frustration after being flagged offside, reducing FC Goa to ten men in the dying moments. Despite the defeat, FC Goa's spirited performance offered pride and promise, particularly through Fernandes' historic strike that opened their account in Asia's second-tier club competition.​

Al Nassr remain unbeaten atop Group D with nine points from three matches, while FC Goa sit at the bottom without a point, having suffered three consecutive defeats. The two sides will meet again in the return fixture in Riyadh on November 5.