FC Goa beat Fortis FC 2-1 in AFC Challenge League; first-ever win for Gaurs in competition
FC Goa defeated Fortis FC 2-1 at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait on 20 October 2026 to record their first win in the AFC Challenge League. The result came in Group C action of the 2026-27 AFC Challenge League.
FC Goa took an early lead in the sixth minute when Jorge Ortiz headed in from a cross supplied by Udanta Singh. After that goal FC Goa deliberately slowed the tempo of play and focused on defending against Fortis FC's forward moves. The match stayed tightly contested with both sides creating chances that could have produced further goals.
Fortis responded in the second half after sustained pressure: following roughly 30 minutes of repeated attacks, they launched a counter in the 78th minute when Rafayel Tudu struck to level the score at 1-1. That equaliser altered the match dynamic, prompting FC Goa to shift back toward more aggressive play. The teams exchanged further opportunities before the decisive phase of the game.
FC Goa regained the lead in the 85th minute when Chiki scored, restoring a 2-1 advantage. Fortis pushed for another equaliser in the remaining minutes but were unable to convert chances into a second goal. The match concluded with the 2-1 scoreline in favour of FC Goa.
In stoppage time, Fortis’ Essa Jallow was sent off in the sixth minute of added time for a foul on Udanta Singh. The dismissal came after play had resumed following the final regulation minutes and did not affect the final scoreline. The defeat was Fortis FC’s second loss in their 2026-27 AFC Challenge League campaign and leaves them bottom of Group C.
The victory moved FC Goa onto three points in Group C; they are tied on points with Regar-TadAZ and Qadsia SC but remain in third place with a 0 goal difference. Qadsia SC were listed top of the group and Regar-TadAZ second prior to their scheduled meeting later on 20 October, a match the source noted could alter the standings depending on the margin of victory. Faridun Davlatov (Regar-TadAZ), Elhadji Malick Tall (Al-Ansar SC) and Chiki (FC Goa) are tied atop the competition’s Golden Boot race with two goals apiece.
FC Goa will next meet Qadsia SC on 23 October at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait, with kickoff listed at 11:00 PM IST; Fortis FC’s next fixture is against FC Regar-TadAZ on the same date. Both Group C matches on 23 October were reported as fixtures that will decide which team progresses to the knock-out rounds of the 2026-27 AFC Challenge League.
