FC Goa went down 1-2 to Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr in their third Group A fixture of the AFC Champions League Two, in Margao, on Wednesday.
Substitute Enwer Annayev struck late as Turkmenistan's Ahal FK stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in their opening Group C match of the AFC Champions League 2
The Mariners had successfully defended their ISL Shield to book a direct berth in ACL 2, finishing eight points clear of FC Goa.
The Champions League Two features 32 clubs divided into eight groups - four West, four East - of four teams each for the group stage, which will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from September 17 to December 5.
It was learnt that 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, wrote to the club that they didn't wish to go to Iran.
India's football faces a setback as it receives only one play-off slot for the 2027-28 AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asia's club structure, due to administrative issues and declining performance.
Dempo's dream of qualifying for the AFC Champions League went up in smoke after the Goan side went down 0-3 to Al Sharjah in the one-off qualifier at the Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.
Speaking on the achievement, Goa FC's talismanic Spaniard Ferran Corominas said, "This one is for our supporters. From the moment I set foot on Indian soil I have felt nothing but loved. We came so close the last two seasons, and to finally be able to give this piece of joy back to our fans, I feel overjoyed."
I-League champions Churchill Brothers was on Thursday included among seven Asian clubs who will feature in play-off matches for a berth in the prestigious AFC Champions League 2010.
Mumbai City FC lost 2-0 to Iranian Club Nassaji Mazandaran in their first AFC Champions League group stage game at home.
FC Goa on became the first team from the country to secure a berth in the group stage of the AFC Champions League, the continent's top-tier club competition, after beating Jamshedpur FC 5-0 in an Indian Super League match, in Jamshedpur, on Wednesday.
I-League: Churchill Brothers hand Mohammedan Sporting first defeat of season
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed several Asian Champions League Elite and Two matches scheduled to be played in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The group stage draw of the continent's top-tier league involving 40 teams was held online in Margao.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant pulled out of their Tuesday's match against Isfahan after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran following "advisories from their respective countries".
Indian football hero of '80s, Chibuzor dies
AFC relocates four postponed Asian Champions League Elite last-16 ties to Jeddah as single-leg matches amid Middle East tensions.
Bengaluru FC now have the possibility of facing another Indian side in Mohun Bagan at the group stage of the AFC Cup.
FC Seoul and Al Nasr inched closer to a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League following comprehensive victories in their respective quarter-final first leg matches on Wednesday.
Several Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have hinted at uncertainty regarding their participation in the 2026-27 season due to ongoing issues surrounding the domestic top-tier competition. The clubs are reviewing their commitment beyond the current season amid disagreements with the AIFF over commercial partnerships and league structure.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 969th career goal as Al-Nassr thrash Al-Wasl 4-0 to reach the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals, moving closer to the 1000-goal milestone.
At a time when Indian football is staring at unprecedented uncertainty with its domestic season in limbo, the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday delivered a triple blow to the country's top club
The second half saw Persepolis create a number of chances yet again, but were thwarted on each occasion thanks to some excellent rear-guard action from the FC Goa defence.
Quoting a source close to the club, the Al-Nassr team will leave for Goa on Monday afternoon without injured Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, in addition to a number of foreign players.
FC Goa players pause play during ACL 2 match against FC Istiklol to highlight ISL's uncertainty
'With the exception of any additional slot(s) allocated to a Member Association in accordance with Articles 3.4 and 3.5, Member Associations that fail to fulfil the Member Association Eligibility Criteria shall, subject to Article 4.4, be eligible to be allocated only indirect slots for the relevant AFC Club Competition.'
AIFF waiting for AFC response over continental slots for ISL clubs in case of fewer matches
India, along with 10 other countries, was on Tuesday provisionally cleared to participate in next year's AFC Champions League.
Arsenal's title hopes suffer a blow with a home defeat to Bournemouth, while Liverpool strengthens their Champions League aspirations with a win over Fulham. Brentford and Everton draw in a battle of top-five contenders.
Indian club FC Goa will have their task cut out as they look to carry their domestic form into the international arena when they face Saudi giants Al Nassr in a vital AFC Champions League Two Group D fixture, in Riyadh, on Wednesday.
East Bengal ended a 22-year wait to win the national league crown, defeating Inter Kashi in a thrilling final. Under coach Oscar Bruzon, the team overcame early setbacks and showed resilience to secure the title, marking a defining moment for the club and Indian football.
The AFC Professional League Committee will visit India to assess whether it can send a club in the revamped AFC Champions League.
FC Goa next host Saudi club Al-Nassr that features Cristiano Ronaldo in their ACL Two match on October 22.
Pune FC's dream of making it into the AFC Champions League group-stage came to an end after a 0-3 defeat to Vietnamese-side Hanoi T&T FC at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi (Pune) on Wednesday.
The centralised semi-finals and the final are scheduled for May 20 to 23, next year.
Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country after Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries.
India's women's football team suffered a heavy 0-11 defeat against Japan in their second group match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Despite the loss, India still has a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat Chinese Taipei in their final group match.
The match simmered, waiting for a spark, until Al Zawraa found it on the cusp of half-time. Hassan Abdulkareem's clever ball found Kadhim Raad, who cut back for Reziq Banihani. A messy deflection, a ricochet off Nim Dorjee Tamang, and the ball nestled cruelly into Goa's net.
Indian Super League side FC Goa was drawn along with superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2.
The second phase of the Indian Women's League 2025-26 is scheduled to begin in Kolkata on April 27, following a break for international competitions. East Bengal FC currently leads the league standings.
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