Football: ISL teams Mohun Bagan and FC Goa suffer defeat in opening round of AFC Champions League Two
MBSG fall late against Turkmen Ahal FK
In addition to the UEFA Champions League, the first round of matches at the AFC Champions League Two campaign also kicked off this week, but it was a tough opening round for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who fell late to a 1-0 loss against Turkmenistan outfit Ahal FK.
The Indian Super League champions held firm against their opponents for the majority of the match, but a momentary lapse in the 83rd minute allowed Ahal attacker Enwer Annayev through for what turned out to be the winning goal.
MBSG shot-stopper Vishal Kaith produced another excellent performance before the sticks, pulling off two crucial saves from Magtymberdi Berenov as well as a worldie off the head of midfielder Suleyman Mirzoyev.
The defeat was all the more difficult for Mariners fans to stomach, given that the team had made it clear that they had prioritised this competition above all else by denying their players the opportunity to join the national team for the recently completed CAFA Nations Cup 2025.
With that result, Jose Francisco Molina’s side ended week one of the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two third in their group. The ISL champions’ next match in the competition will see them head to Iran to face Sepahan on September 30.
FC Goa outclassed by Al-Zawraa in Fatorda
Just 24 hours after Mohun Bagan’s loss, the ISL’s only other representative in this season’s AFC Champions League Two also suffered defeat when FC Goa were beaten 2-0 by Iraqi outfit Al-Zawraa in Fatorda.
The Gaurs were on the back foot from the first whistle and were almost a goal down inside the opening five minutes when midfielder Qasim Majid got on the end of a well-worked play but smashed his effort against the woodwork.
The visitors maintained their dominance throughout the first half and finally got their reward just before the interval, with forward Reziq Bani Hani converting his own rebound off a blocked shot to give his side the lead.
Searching for an equaliser, the Gaurs threw more players into attack and created a few half-chances, but that also allowed their opponents space to exploit, which they did in stoppage time thanks to a Nizar Al Rashdan strike.
FC Goa are now bottom of Group D and will head to the Hisor Central Stadium at the end of the month to face Istiklol before returning to Fatorda for their blockbuster Matchday 3 fixture against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
