FC Goa suffer first AFC CL loss

Margao, April 21: FC Goa put up a spirited fight before going down 1-2 to Group E leaders Persepolis FC, bringing to an end the Indian club’s unbeaten run in the AFC Champions League here on Tuesday.
FC Goa grabbed the lead when Edu Bedia headed in to the bottom right corner from the centre of the box in the 14th minute. Bedia was assisted by Brandon Fernandes following a set piece situation.
But the Indian club’s joy was short-lived as Persepolis FC fought back strongly to not just equalise but also go ahead in the high-octane contest.
Persepolis FC, last season’s runners-up in the Champions League, drew parity when Mahdi Torabi converted a penalty in the 18th minute.
From a cross by Mahdi Torabi following a corner, Seyed Jalal Hosseini unleashed a header from close range to put the fancied visitors ahead in the 24th minute at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Persepolis FC had a chance to extend their lead just before half time, but FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh saved a right-footed spot kick by Hossein Kanaani after Iván González committed a foul in the danger zone.
Again before half time, Dheeraj made a brilliant save to deny the visitors. FC Goa’s effort to find an equaliser through the second half, which included a few substitutions, did not bear fruit as they settled for a defeat.
This was FC Goa’s first defeat in the group stage as the better experienced Persepolis claimed their third straight win.
FC Goa had their moments, tried their best but that was not enough to secure them a third straight stalemate in their maiden appearance in the continent’s top-tier league.
FC Goa were placed in the third spot after Tuesday’s result as Al Wahda’s Fares Juma headed in with the final touch of their game to secure a dramatic 3-2 win over Qatar’s Al Rayyan. (PTI)