FC Goa eliminated after 1-2 defeat by Al-Qadsia SC in AFC Challenge League in Kuwait
FC Goa were knocked out of the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 after losing 1-2 to Al-Qadsia SC in Kuwait on Friday, October 23, ending their campaign in the group stage. Chiki struck an equaliser in the 21st minute but Al-Qadsia scored again in the second half to secure victory and progress.
The defeat closed FC Goa’s AFC Challenge League 2026-27 campaign, with the Gaurs finishing the group phase with 3 points from 3 matches. Kuwait’s Al-Qadsia completed their group programme with three wins and advanced to the quarter-finals. Chiki’s close-range header provided Goa’s sole goal of the match.
Al-Qadsia opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Hamza Khaba met Rashed Al Dosary’s cross with a diving header into the bottom-left corner. Goa created limited clear chances early; Malsawmsanga KC fired over from the left edge of the area and, in the 16th minute, Khaba headed over after a set-up by Bader Al Mutawa. FC Goa levelled in the 21st minute when Alex Zalaya’s header from a corner fell for Chiki to nod home.
Qadsia restored their lead shortly after the interval, in the 49th minute, as Khaba curled home a finish into the top-left corner following a passing exchange with Al Mutawa at the edge of the area. The Kuwaiti side continued to press: in the 65th minute Khaba played a lob into the box for Ayoub Lakhdar, whose effort sailed over both the advancing Lara Sharma and the crossbar. In the 80th minute Lakhdar again threatened, dribbling past two defenders before his shot struck the right post.
Individual contributions shaped the contest: Hamza Khaba scored twice to make it a brace, Rashed Al Dosary supplied the cross for the opener, and Bader Al Mutawa was heavily involved in Qadsia’s attacking play and had a shot blocked in the first half. For Goa, Alex Zalaya and Muhammed Nemil created the set-piece situations that led to Chiki’s goal and Sandesh Jhingan’s headed miss respectively.
Al-Qadsia’s 2-1 win ensured they moved into the quarter-finals of the AFC Challenge League 2026-27, while FC Goa’s tournament ended with elimination after three group matches. The Kuwaiti side advances to the next stage; FC Goa depart the competition with three points from their group fixtures.
