FC Goa bowed out of the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Kuwait’s Qadsia SC in their final Group C match at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Hawally on Friday.
Hamza Khabba (10’, 49’) scored both goals for the hosts while Chiki (21’) was on target for the Indian Super League club.
It was Chiki’s third goal of the competition, having also scored against Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ and Bangladesh’s Fortis FC in the Gaurs’ previous two matches.
FC Goa finished third in Group C with three points from three matches. Their only victory came against Fortis FC, while they suffered 2-1 defeats to both Regar-TadAZ and Qadsia.
This was FC Goa’s first appearance in the AFC Challenge League and their third campaign in Asian club football overall.
Qadsia, meanwhile, topped the group with nine points from three matches to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The hosts made a bright start and went ahead in the 10th minute when Rashed Al Dosary delivered a cross for Khabba, who directed a diving header into the bottom-left corner.
FC Goa looked for a response, with Malsawmsanga KC firing over from the left side of the penalty area.
Khabba threatened again in the 16th minute but headed over the crossbar from close range after being picked out by Bader Al Mutawa.
The Gaurs restored parity five minutes later. Alex Zalaya’s headed attempt from a corner fell to Chiki, who nodded home from close range to make it 1-1.
Both sides pushed to take the lead before half-time. Al Mutawa had an effort blocked for Qadsia while FC Goa captain Sandesh Jhingan headed wide from Muhammed Nemil’s corner as the teams went into the break level.
Qadsia regained the advantage just four minutes after the restart.
Al Mutawa exchanged passes with Khabba around the edge of the penalty area before the Moroccan striker curled his finish into the top-left corner for his second goal of the match.
The Kuwaiti club nearly added another in the 65th minute when Khabba picked out Ayoub Lakhdar with a lob into the box, but the midfielder lifted his effort over the advancing Lara Sharma and the crossbar.
Lakhdar came close again with 10 minutes remaining, beating two defenders inside the box before his effort struck the right post.
FC Goa could not find another equaliser as their AFC Challenge League campaign ended at the group stage.
Organised by the Asian Football Confederation, the AFC Challenge League is Asia’s third-tier men’s club football competition.
East Bengal are India’s other representatives in AFC club football this season and are competing in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/afc-challenge-league-2026-27-fc-goa-vs-qadsia-football-match-report
