FC Goa return to Asia’s elite stage this week as the Gaurs face Iraqi giants Al Zawraa in their AFC Champions League Two group opener. It is FC Goa’s second continental campaign after their 2020/21 adventure—played behind closed doors—and a first opportunity for fans to witness the club on Asia’s big night.
Manolo Marquez, now in his third season at the helm, brings a side forged in resilience. Goa earned their place the hard way, edging Al Seeb 2–1 in last month’s preliminary round in Goa. They enter a formidable Group that also features Saudi heavyweights Al Nassr and Tajik outfit Ishtiqlol FC—context that underlines the Gaurs’ underdog tag and the scale of the challenge ahead.
Squad-wise, Goa have a few concerns. India international Sandesh Jhingan is nursing a facial injury sustained on national duty and will be assessed close to kick-off. Marquez is expected to lean on all six of his foreign options, with David Timor, Pol Moreno, and Javi Siverio—impressive in their first competitive outing—adding experience and bite across the spine of the team. Control in midfield, compact distances out of possession, and set-piece discipline will be central to Goa’s plan against physically imposing opposition.
Al Zawraa arrived after a summer revamp that saw as many as 12 new signings and the appointment of head coach Abdul Ghani Shahzad. The Baghdad club carries significant international pedigree, boasting up to eight Iraq internationals, including national team captain and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. Their new foreign additions offer threat and craft, with striker Reziq Bani Hani and No.10 Mohammed Qasim among the key men to watch. Al Zawraa’s aerial prowess and presence on second balls are standout traits, making dead-ball moments and defensive transitions pivotal battlegrounds.
Key battles to watch include Timor’s screening of central spaces against Qasim’s movement between the lines, Moreno’s command in duels with Bani Hani, and Siverio’s penalty-box craft versus Hassan’s authority in goal. Goa will seek width to stretch Al Zawraa’s compact block, with quick switches of play and third-man runs to unhinge their shape. Pressing triggers around the first pass and aggressive counter-pressing after turnovers could create high-value moments; equally, calm build-up to draw fouls in advanced areas will be vital given set-piece opportunities. Game management—especially the opening 15 minutes and the period after half-time—will demand concentration, with fresh legs from the bench expected to raise tempo late on.
This fixture also marks Al Zawraa’s sixth appearance in Asia’s premier competition, earned via a league runners-up finish—evidence of their consistency at domestic level. For FC Goa, the objective is clear: embrace the underdog spirit, stay compact, and capitalize on moments in transition and set plays. With the home crowd behind them and continental football finally returning in front of fans, the Gaurs will seek a statement result to set the tone for a demanding group campaign.