FK Arkadag beat FC Goa 3-0 in AFC Champions League Two preliminary at Arkadag Stadium
FC Goa lost 0-3 to FK Arkadag at the Arkadag Stadium in Arkadag, Turkmenistan, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Preliminary Stage, eliminating the Indian club from the qualifiers.
After a largely quiet first half, Arkadag produced three second-half goals to take control of the tie; the Turkmen side moved on to the competition’s group-stage line-up. Arkadag began the match on the front foot, using wide areas to create chances, with Arzuvguly Sapargulyev prominent in creating problems for FC Goa goalkeeper Bob Jackson Raj.
Arkadag’s early pressure brought two notable openings when Begench Akmammedov forced Raj into a close-range stop and, on the rebound, Abdy Basimow was denied by the FC Goa goalkeeper. Rahman Myratberdiyew then surged down the centre and fed Akmammedov, whose grounded attempt was miscued across the face of the goalmouth.
In the 26th minute a looping header from Bashimov looked to be dipping behind Raj before the goalkeeper produced a diving save to keep the match goalless. FC Goa had a set-piece opportunity in the 42nd minute when Francisco Feuillassier’s delivery carried too much weight for Sandesh Jhingan to convert with a glancing header, and a minute before half-time Myratberdiyew sent an overhead effort over the bar from just above the six-yard box.
Arkadag’s pressure was rewarded after the break. In the 61st minute Yazgylych Gurbanov’s cross reached Didar Durdyyew, whose shot from inside a crowded penalty area slipped through Raj and crossed the line. Rahman Myratberdiyew doubled the lead in the 64th minute when he pounced on a loose ball, surged into the box and calmly slotted past Raj, and Sapargulyev bent a 75th-minute free-kick into the top-right corner to seal the victory.
Didar Durdyyew, Rahman Myratberdiyew and Arzuvguly Sapargulyev scored for FK Arkadag. "A tough night in Turkmenistan.Not the result we came for, but the boys gave it everything. We keep going. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/aI0729di7Q"
Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field; his byline appears on the original match report.
FC Goa will now compete in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 group stage, and the group-stage draw for the AFC Champions League Two will be conducted in Kuala Lumpur on August 18.
