FK Arkadag beat FC Goa 3-0 in AFC Champions League Two qualifier; Bob Jackson and Sandesh Jhinghan rated poorly
FK Arkadag defeated FC Goa 3-0 in Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League Two 2026-27 Preliminary Stage on August 12, 2026, eliminating the Indian side from the competition. Bob Jackson and Sandesh Jhinghan were among the Goan players singled out for poor ratings after the loss.
East Bengal secured a place in the AFC Champions League 2 group stage by beating Al Arabi, while FC Goa needed an upset in Turkmenistan to join them; instead Arkadag, a former AFC Challenge League winner that beat East Bengal two years ago, prevailed. Goa fielded several new signings including Zalaya and Vallejo and started under new coach Gourmangi Singh, who succeeded Manolo Marquez after Marquez moved to Mumbai City FC. The Gaurs kept the score level through the first 45 minutes but conceded three goals in the second half and will enter the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 group stage as a result.
FK Arkadag struck three times after halftime, with Didar Durdyyew, Rahman Myratberdiyew and Arzuvguly Sapargulyev on the scoresheet. Bob Jackson, described in the report as the former Salgaocar keeper, kept a clean sheet in the first half and was one of Goa’s better performers early on but was beaten three times after the interval and was judged to have a difficult second-half outing. The hosts created sustained pressure in the latter stages and converted their chances as Goa’s defense faltered.
Defensive lapses featured early and often: Carvalho picked up a yellow card in the seventh minute, was substituted before halftime for Nemil, and was judged ineffective at containing Muratberdyev down the flank. The FC Goa captain helped keep Arkadag quiet in the first half, but the backline overall was deemed poor, with Sandesh Jhinghan described as relatively better than his colleagues. A Spanish defender making his first appearance in Asian competition, noted as a product of Zaragoza’s youth academy, received a yellow card, conceded a dangerous free kick and was called unimpressive in the match report.
In midfield Sangwan completed the full 90 minutes and tried to make progressive runs from the flanks that ultimately failed to create sustained danger for Arkadag. A Spanish midfielder who arrived from RCD Mallorca was credited with neutralising some central attacks early, yet Arkadag’s midfield dominated in the final two quarters. A former Inter Kashi midfielder tested long-range efforts before being replaced in the 65th minute by Malsawmtluanga.
Goa’s wide players also struggled to break down the hosts: Udanta produced quick runs and created openings from the right but was outplayed by Arzuvguly, who also scored, and was later substituted for Nim Dorjee in the closing minutes. Franchu, operating on the left after his move from Odisha FC, was described as failing to fashion sufficient opportunities for Chiki and was withdrawn around the hour mark. FK Arkadag’s defence limited clear chances for Chiki and neutralised Goa’s usual attacking fluency.
"Not the result we came for, but the boys gave it everything. We keep going. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/aI0729di7Q"
As a consequence of the 3-0 defeat, FC Goa will compete in the AFC Challenge League 2026-27 group stage while FK Arkadag progress from the AFC Champions League Two preliminary round; the match’s outcome confirmed the club-level allocation for both Indian sides in the continental competitions.
