FC Goa’s AFC Champions League 2 season came to a disappointing end as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tajikistan’s Istiklol at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
The Gaurs had taken an early lead thanks to a goal from Dejan Drazic in the first half, but were unable to maintain the lead in the second half. Paul Komolafe equalized in the 53rd minute, before Amirbek Juraboev’s penalty completed the turnaround.
The visitor saw the one-goal advantage despite a late red card for Sodikdzhon Kurbonov.
Earlier in the evening, FC Goa players staged a silent protest during the opening seconds of the match over the ongoing crisis in Indian football.
As the referee blew the whistle for kick-off at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Gaurs’ players stood in place and actively refused to play to draw global attention to the «deeper uncertainty» currently crippling the Indian football ecosystem.
The defeat completes a miserable season in Asia for Manolo Marquez’s side, who lost all six group stage matches. The elimination from the competition was already sealed in November with a 2-1 defeat against Al Zawraa.
Published on December 24, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/imani-dia-smith-1-122425-7d53031e0195402c975daf5c253fc8f0.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "La ex estrella del Rey León Imani Dia Smith muere a los 25 años y su novio es acusado de asesinato")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/Sivert-Guttorm-Bakken-ibu-cup2-122425-7a5e48bb107c4716be82a4c638486f73.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "El aspirante olímpico Sivert Guttorm Bakken, de 27 años, encontrado muerto en una habitación de hotel")
