AFC Champions League Two: FC Goa suffer 0-2 defeat to Iraq's Al Zawraa

NEW DELHI: Indian Super League side FC Goa fought valiantly but fell 0-2 to Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC in their AFC Champions League Two Group D encounter on Wednesday. Strikes from Reziq Banihani in the 44th minute and Nizar Alrashdan in the 90+5th minute sealed the victory for the visitors.

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The match began with a scare for the hosts as Mahdi Humaidan intercepted a back pass, surged into the box, and delivered a dangerous cross for Mohammed Qasim, whose thunderous effort rattled the bar. FC Goa responded in the eighth minute through Dejan Drazic, whose precise cross found Javier Siverio, but the striker’s header sailed over the bar.

The first half remained largely cagey until Alrashdan’s superb header from Hassan Abdulkareem’s free-kick forced a sprawling save from Hrithik Tiwari.

Early in the second half, Banihani cut in from the left and his attempt deflected off Nim Dorjee, but Tiwari was equal to the task again. Goa created chances of their own, with Ayush Chhetri’s rising effort tipped over and Siverio’s back-flick attempt saved by the experienced Jalal Hassan.

Despite pressing for an equaliser, Goa were punished in stoppage time when Alrashdan scored a low strike from the edge of the box, confirming the 2-0 result. FC Goa will need to regroup quickly as they continue their campaign in Group D, while Al Zawraa maintain momentum with the away win.

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