Theyyam

  The official draw for AFC Club competitions were held at AFC Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur earlier today (January 17, 2022). In the AFC Champions League, Mumbai City FC have been placed in Group B of the Continental Championship, and will be coming up against Al Jazira (UAE), Al Shabab (KSA), and Air Force Club (Iraq). The group stage of the AFC Champions League is scheduled to start in April 2022, which will be played in a centralized venue. Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup, Gokulam Kerala FC were granted direct entry into the group stages of the AFC Cup after having won the Hero I-League 2020-21, while ATK Mohun Bagan will be needing to play Round 2 of the preliminary stage.

  FC Goa impressed once again as they kept yet another clean sheet against Al Wahda in a 0-0 draw at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday (April 17, 2021).  A more open game than the tournament opener for Juan Ferrando’s men, the Men In Orange brought about a few moments of brilliance on both sides of the field to eke out the result. However, one would be forgiven to think that they deserved more with Brandon Fernandes hitting the upright and Devendra Murgaokar forcing the Al Wahda keeper into a fantastic save.  The Gaurs named an unchanged eleven from the side that started the first game of the tournament against Al Rayyan, hoping that a similar or better result could follow this time around too. Once the game began, FC Goa threatened straight away, with Ishan Pandita making contact from a header following a cross from the left flank. Although his effort wasn’t the precise one he was looking for, yet the early signs were surely positive. Al Wahda grew into the half, mounting ...

  FC Goa put on a sensational defensive display to hold Al Rayyan to a 0-0 draw in their AFC Champions League opener at the Fatorda Stadium. Juan Ferrando gave Ishan Pandita his first start in FC Goa colours as James Donachie and Ivan Gonzalez started as the favoured pair at the back. There was also a start for Sanson Pereira and Brandon Fernandes, the latter’s availability serving as a real boost after the Indian international missed a chunk of the ISL season owing to injury. Once the opening whistle blew, it was Al Rayyan who started brighter, sensing an opportunity to pounce as FC Goa played out from the back. They fashioned the first chance of the game as early as the sixth minute as Yacine Brahimi emerged with the ball in a dangerous area as the Gaurs gave away possession. Thankfully for Ferrando’s men, his shot flew wide, but a similar opportunity presented itself just three minutes later as Yohan Boli hit the side netting following another sloppy giveaway from the home side....