FC Goa will return to action as they take on Al Seeb of Oman in the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Champions League Two on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa.

The Gaurs are set to make a return to Asian competitions after 2021 when they became the first Indian club to feature in the group stages of the AFC Champions League.

Thanks to their Kainga Super Cup success last season, the Gaurs have earned a chance to extend their Asian story as they are set to battle it out in the AFC Champions League Two.

But standing in their way in the preliminary round are one of the emerging teams in Asia in Oman’s Al-Seeb, a team that have made a name for themselves especially in recent history.

History

Al-Seeb was founded in 1972 but it wasn’t until 2002 that the club was officially registered. The club from the Seeb region of Oman have grown into prominence in the last half a decade, securing key triumphs at the national as well as Asian level.

Al-Seeb have won four out of the last six Omani league titles and have also won the Omanian Cup four times in their history. Their biggest achievement came in 2022 when they won the AFC Cup (now AFC Champions League Two) to become the only Oman club to achieve the feat.

The victory also helped them complete the treble having won the league, the cup and the AFC Cup in the same season.

Al-Seeb are on the lookout for a third straight Omani League title for the first time in their history.

Form Guide: LLWDD

The Omannian champions have won just one of their last five matches which stretch back to last season but it’s important to note that a lot of their failures to win came after Al-Seeb had secured the Omani League title for 2024-25. Their last game was the final of the Omani Super Cup on July 26 which they lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The defending Omani champions featured in the AFC Challenge League last season and were knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

Al-Seeb are at the beginning of their domestic campaign and will look to start it off on a positive note.

Head-to-head record

Al-Seeb will face FC Goa for the first time in their history. It’s also the first occasion when the Omanians will take on an Indian club.

Coach and playing style

Al-Seeb are coached by Serbian coach Nikola Djurovic who has been the team’s head coach since June 2024 and has already helped the team win the League and the Oman Professional League Cup in his first season.

Djurovic, who is a UEFA A License holder, typically uses a 4-2-3-1 formation and isn’t known to tinker with their playing style too much. With Al-Seeb having tasted success under Djurovic last season, they will be expected to adopt a similar style against FC Goa as they begin their 2025-26 campaign.

Key Players

Marwan Mubarak: Al-Seeb’s new signing will be keen to impress on his return to the club this summer. Mubarak spent a successful season away at Al-Nasr Club, where he scored ten goals and provided two assists in the Omani League last season. With the departure of Dahman, Al-Seeb will be hoping Mubarak takes up the mantle of the team’s chief attacker and leads them to glory in the 2025-26 season.

He will be up against Sandesh Jhingan who has been one of best-ever defenders in the Indian Super League (ISL) and that battle will be a one to watch out for.

Zaheer Al-Aghbari: One of the most creative players in the Al-Seeb ranks, Al-Aghbari will be a real threat to the Gaurs thanks to his ability to find the killer pass as well as get on the scoresheet. With 12 goal contributions in the Omani League last season, Al-Aghbari tormented defences in his wider role and FC Goa will have their work cut out when it comes to stopping the 25-year-old who is full of energy.

Match Details

FC Goa vs Al Seeb
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa
Date: 13 August, 2025
Kick-Off Time: 7:30 PM
Live Streaming: Khel Now YouTube Channel

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