Image credit: FCGoaOfficial@Twitter

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Dato' Windsor John has praised the seamless manner in which all AFC Champions League Group E (West Region) matches were organised in Goa from April 14-30, especially in light of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that continues to plague India.

Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) outfit FC Goa, Iran’s Persepolis FC, Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC and UAE’s Al Wahda participated in the Group E action and at the end of it, the Iranians and the Emiratis advanced to the Round of 16. All 12 group matches were played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

"Congratulations to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) on the successful organisation of the AFC Champions League 2021 (West) – Group E in India.

"The success is no doubt a showcase of the dedication, hard work and relentless efforts of the AIFF and LOC in ensuring a high level of organisation despite the challenging circumstances," the AFC general secretary wrote in a letter to the AIFF.

He continued: "Our appreciation goes to the LOC for the wonderful hospitality accorded to the AFC Delegation and the Participating Clubs and for all the arrangements made to ensure and safeguard the health and well-being of all concerned throughout the tournament.

"Thank you, and we look forward to future collaboration with the AIFF following the successful completion of the AFC Champions League 2021 (Group Stage) - Centralised Matches."

FC Goa became the first Indian club to play in the group stage of the prestigious continental club competition and in light of their inexperience, they undoubtedly gave an impressive account of themselves as they finished third in the group on three points ahead of Al Rayyan SC with three draws and three defeats.

Fans need no reminding that Goa had also successfully staged Hero ISL 2020-21 from November 20, 2020 to March 13, 2021 and a whopping 115 matches were played across three venues.