FC Goa maintain Laurent Blanc’s Al-Rayyan in AFC Champions League debut

FC Goa, the primary crew from India to compete within the group stage of the AFC Champions League, punched above their weight to carry Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, coached by famend French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc, to a goalless attract Margao on Wednesday.
FC Goa produced a commendable efficiency to maintain the aspect coached by the previous Paris Saint-Germain supervisor at bay for the total period of the match.
Rising to the event have been the likes of Ishan Pandita and younger goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who, amongst others, made a superb save within the 87th minute and an important sort out earlier than that to disclaim the fancied guests.

An enormous effort from everybody to earn a well-deserved level from our first-ever recreation in @TheAFCCL! 👏🏻
On to the following one boys! #RiseAgain #GOARYN #FCGoaInAsia #ACL2021 pic.twitter.com/NHNXW8HrJ0
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) April 14, 2021
As anticipated, Al Rayyan appeared the dominant crew from the start, creating the most effective probabilities of the match with Yacine Brahimi main the assault on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
However, ending let the guests down on the day.
The Indian Super League crew deserves credit score for the style through which it thwarted the opposition assaults within the first half and managed to match Al-Rayyan when it comes to possession.
FC Goa’s disciplined defending pissed off the opponent and coach Juan Ferrando could be a glad man.
It has been a superb debut outing for Ferrando’s aspect within the premier competitors because it managed to maintain a clear sheet and keep possession in opposition to a fancied opponent.
Having received the ISL League Winners’ Shield within the 2019/20 season, FC Goa certified for the 2021 AFC Champions League group levels.
Besides Al-Rayyan, the Gaurs will even need to cope with different well-known Asian golf equipment in Persepolis FC (Iran) and Al Wahda (UAE) within the competitors.
Goa’s final aggressive match was greater than a month in the past in opposition to Mumbai City within the second leg of the ISL play-offs.
Al-Rayyan’s final match was on April 9 within the Stars League and so they got here into the Champions League with loads of aggressive motion below their belt. PTI AH AH