FC Goa Eye Continental Glory as Al Seeb Test Awaits in AFC Champions League Two Qualifier

Manolo Marquez and the FC Goa squad, geared up to represent India at the continental level.
(Image: FC Goa Instagram)

FC Goa stand on the cusp of another historic continental foray as they prepare to take on Oman Professional League champions Al Seeb in a decisive, single-legged qualifier for the AFC Champions League Two. With home advantage at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday, the Gaurs will aim to carry their Super Cup-winning momentum into Asia’s restructured second-tier competition.

The stakes could not be higher — the winner joins fellow Indian side Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who qualified directly after lifting the ISL Shield, in the main round. The losing team will drop into the AFC Challenge League.

Different Roads to the Same Target
FC Goa’s last continental appearance came in 2022, when they became the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage after winning the ISL League Shield. That same year, Al Seeb etched their own name into Asian football history by lifting the AFC Cup — becoming the first Omani club to win the second-tier tournament.

Fast forward to 2025, and both arrive at the qualifier with silverware in hand. Al Seeb, four-time league champions since 2019, retained their domestic crown in 2024–25. FC Goa, under Spanish head coach Manolo Márquez, clinched the Super Cup earlier this year to earn their shot at the continental stage.

Focused Build-Up, Strategic Changes
Goa began preparations in the third week of July but, in contrast to previous seasons, opted out of pre-season tournaments to concentrate on internal training. They have, however, played a closed-door friendly against India’s U-23 side, currently preparing for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

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Sandesh Jhingan. Image: Instagram (FC Goa)

The summer also saw Márquez, who parted ways with the national team, extend his commitment to Goa. The club reshaped its foreign contingent, parting ways with Odei Onaindia, Armando Sadiku, Carl McHugh, and promising full-back Jay Gupta (now with East Bengal). In came three Spanish signings tasked with adding steel, stability, and firepower.

New Faces in the Spotlight

  • David Timor – The marquee signing brings nearly 150 La Liga appearances, UEFA Europa League experience with Getafe, and a recent stint in La Liga 2 with Eldense. A tough, composed midfielder with sharp distribution, the 35-year-old will be pivotal in dictating play against Al Seeb.
  • Pol Moreno – The 31-year-old centre-back from Barcelona arrives to partner Sandesh Jhingan, filling the void left by Onaindia. With experience in Spain’s lower leagues, Sweden’s top flight, and Racing Santander in La Liga 2, Moreno adds height, composure, and aerial dominance.
  • Javier Siverio – The striker reunites with Márquez after a fruitful stint at Hyderabad FC. Having switched from Jamshedpur, he will share goal-scoring duties with compatriot Iker Guarrotxena.

Key men Borja Herrera, Dejan Dražić, and last season’s standout Brison Fernandes will again be central to Goa’s plans, alongside defensive mainstay Sandesh Jhingan.

Al-Seeb FC. Image: instagram (Al Seeb)

Al Seeb: Gulf Giants with Proven Pedigree
Formed in 1972, Al Seeb have dominated Omani football in recent years — four league titles in six seasons, four Sultan Qaboos Cups, and their landmark AFC Cup triumph in 2022.

The Muscat-based side changed leadership in June, replacing Serbian coach Nikola Djurovic with Romanian tactician Valeriu Tița, formerly of Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings. Tița’s mission: to make Al Seeb the first Omani club to reach the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two.

Their pre-season was eventful — a narrow penalty shootout loss to Al Shabab in the Super Cup final, mixed results in a Salalah friendly tournament, and a 3-1 win over Dhofar. New signings include Senegalese forward Abdulaziz Sesse, Oman international midfielder Abdullah Fawaz, and striker Musab al Shaqsi. The squad has retained experienced names like Mohammed al Musallami, Ali al Busaidy, and Zaher al Aghbari.

Threats Goa Must Contain

  • Salaah Al-Yahyaei – The creative heartbeat of Al Seeb’s midfield, combining vision, strength, and defensive bite.
  • Abu Razard Kamara – A Liberian forward who netted eight goals in just ten appearances last season, with experience across Asian leagues.
  • Abdul Aziz Al-Muqbali – A familiar face to Indian fans, having scored twice against the Blue Tigers in a 2015 World Cup qualifier. Matched Kamara’s eight-goal tally last season and thrives on the big stage.

Márquez’s Assessment
“We know the team we face,” Márquez told The Times of India. “They were champions of the AFC Cup in 2022. Their team is practically the national team of Oman with a high percentage of players who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history. It’s a very strong team. We have to be at our best, and there will be possibilities to win this game. I hope we have a full stadium; we need the fans. In my opinion, it will be an equal game.”

History Calling Once More
Indian clubs have rarely made deep runs in Asia. Bengaluru FC finished runners-up in the 2016 AFC Cup, while Dempo SC made it to the semis of the same competition in 2008. But Goa’s 2021–22 AFC Champions League group stage qualification was a first for the country.

With the revamped AFC structure, the Gaurs have another chance to etch their name in history.

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