The football adage -- attack wins you games and defence wins you titles could very well be FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez's mantra.
Last season, all through the Indian Super League the gaffer couldn't emphasise the importance of having a strong defence enough.
And on Wednesday, again, it was FC Goa's defence that helped them land a spot in the AFC Champions League group stage after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Oman's Al Seeb Club in the preliminary round on rainy evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao.
"It was a very difficult game. In these kind of games you need some good luck. But I feel that we played with a lot of order. But they are a fantastic team," Marquez said at the post-match press conference.
The Gaurs had some nervy moments early on in the contest against Al Seeb -- 9 of the Playing 11 represent the Oman national team.
FC Goa's goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari was put under pressure as Al Seeb pressed in the first ten minutes. Midfielder Nasser Al Rawahi impressive on the flanks but squandered two chances minutes off each other.
FC Goa's new defender Pol Morena was forced into action as he blocked Nasser Al Rawahi's close range effort.
It took the home team about 5 minutes to find their groove.
Their first attempt at taking the lead was when midfielder Dejan Drazic broke free on the left but his tame shot went straight to the hands of the Al Seeb keeper Ahmed Al Rawahi.
In another attempt, on the counter Drazic fed Javier Siverio, but Goa's new No 9 was late on the ball.
FC Goa found fluidity as the game progressed. Al Seeb also had sparks of brilliance in the end to end contest.
Nasser Al Rawahi was in the thick of things again for Al Seeb in the 23rd minute when his timely tackle opened up space to set up Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali, whose curling effort was parried away by FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari.
Then, in a moment of brilliance from Borja Herrera and Drazic, FC Goa took the lead.
Herrera's long pass found Drazic on the left, with the midfielder evading an oncoming Ahmed Al Rawahi before calmly dinking the ball over defender Ahmed Al Khamisi and into the back of the net. Goa 1-0 up and the the 12,000-strong crowd on their feet!
With the outfield heavy due to rain just before the start of the match, Al Seeb starting to find the going hard. FC Goa's skipper Sandhesh Jhinghan and his partner in defence, Moreno did well to quell the threat of skillful Omanis.
There was some drama just before half-time when a penalty was awarded to Al Seeb for a handball by Drazic. Referee Zhang Lei pointed to the spot but after some discussions with the assistant referee, the penalty was reversed -- with no VAR for help, it was deemed that the handball offence was made outside the 18-yard box. The consequent free-kick came to nought and Marquez's side went into the break with their noses in front, but only just.
The home team kept the intensity in the 2nd half and their defence was to the fore.
Then in the 52nd minute, Drazic came in from the left, cutting through Al Seeb's defenders but his short on target was palmed out by keeper Ahmed Al Rawahi.
The consequent short corner was converted when Herrera's cross met Javier Siverio's leaping header in the box to crash into the net. Siverio's debut goal gave FC Goa a second of the night.
Al Seeb pulled one back at the hour mark through Nasser Al Rawahi's strike from close range off Ali Al Busaidi's cutback.
For the next 30 minutes, FC Goa were tested on Al Seeb's sudden counters. The home team were pushed back, and with 3 minutes on the clock in regulation time, Marquez put in Brison Fernandes and Sahil Tavora.
The duo answered to the demands of the team, fell back, saw through the late nervy moments and along with their tired teammates, ensured a victory for the home team.
"They didn't play too many minutes, but Tavora and Brison helped a lot in the moments they were on the pitch. We didn't have good (warm-up) games. It's true that we could work some things but you need to arrive with stronger opposition to play these kind of games," Marquez said.
Hailing his super subs, Marquez continued: "It is difficult to enter in the game in that moment, with the pace that they had during the game. Sometimes you can 'kill' one of these players when you field them in that moment. But I think they were very good. We defended with a lot of order. There was no other way to win this game, because they are a very strong team."
FC Goa join fellow ISL team Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the continental tournament's group stage. The Mariners had secured a direct berth by clinching the 2024-25 Indian Super League Shield.
Both clubs will discover their Group Stage opponents in the AFC Champions League draw in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
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