Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa went down fighting against Al-Zawraa in their opening fixture of the AFC Champions League Two group stage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday.

A goal in each half from Reziq Bani Hani and Nizar Al Rashdan secured a crucial victory for the Iraqi side.

Al-Zawraa started the game on the front foot, with Qasim Majid hitting the woodwork in the fifth minute. The Gaurs gradually settled in after absorbing the initial pressure.

FC Goa had their first real chance in the eighth minute when Dejan Drazic’s inch-perfect cross from the left flank found Javier Siverio inside the box, but the Spaniard’s headed attempt went off target.

Manolo Marquez’s side continued to build attacks down the wings, with full-backs combining well with the wingers on both flanks. The Gaurs created another chance in the 31st minute through Boris Singh, who made a brilliant run down the right to find Borja Herrera with open space; however, the midfielder’s shot was blocked well by an opposition defender.

Reziq Bani Hani broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, leaving the hosts trailing at the break. Despite the Gaurs’ defence blocking the initial attempt, the Al-Zawraa forward found the back of the net on the second attempt.

Marquez brought on Ayush Chhetri to replace captain Iker Guarrotxena early in the second half.

Herrera led the Gaurs’ attacking moves with his smooth transitions and quick one-twos with the forwards. The Spanish midfielder picked out Siverio inside the opponent’s box from the right flank, but the striker failed to generate any power in his acrobatic attempt around the hour mark.

FC Goa also replaced Udanta Singh with Brison Fernandes in the 67th minute. Marquez’s men created a couple of chances through Brison, Drazic, and others in the final stretch of the second half, but a lack of precision in the final third cost them the chance to level the scoreline.

The Gaurs had another opportunity in stoppage time, again through Siverio, but the Spaniard’s effort was off target once more.

Nizar Al-Rashdan then beat Hritwik Tiwari at the near post just before the final whistle to make it 2-0 for the visitors, sealing all three points.

The Gaurs will next travel to Tajikistan to take on Istiklol on October 1.

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