Three FC Goa players to watch in ACL Two preliminary at Arkadag Stadium
FC Goa travel to the Arkadag Stadium in Turkmenistan to face FK Arkadag in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two Preliminary Stage on 12th August, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 pm IST. The one-legged knockout will determine whether the Gaurs progress into the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage or drop into the Challenge Cup.
Under newly appointed head coach Gouramangi Singh, FC Goa begin their 2026-27 campaign with this single-elimination tie; it will be the club’s first professional match of the new season. The Gaurs lost multiple key players following the end of the 2025-26 season but have assembled a squad to compete in this high-stakes fixture.
Francisco Feuillassier, known as Franchu, is a 28-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder and a product of the Real Madrid youth academy who will carry creative responsibility for Goa. He has 67 games in LaLiga 2 and six appearances in the Copa Del Rey, and in the UEFA Youth League he scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in 5 games. Franchu arrived in the Indian Super League last season when he joined the Kerala Blasters in the second half, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists in 6 games, and will be tasked with supplying creative passes to the forward line.
Spanish centre-back Alex Zalaya, 28, brings experience across Spanish football and has played for clubs including FC Barcelona Atletic and UE Cornella. His partnership with Sandesh Jhingan will be central to containing FK Arkadag’s attacking threats. Zalaya’s height and aerial ability also make him a target for FC Goa on set pieces inside the opponent’s penalty box.
Christian ‘Chiki’ Isabel, a 29-year-old centre forward from Madrid, offers versatility across the frontline and can operate centrally or on either wing. He has made over 70 appearances in LaLiga 2 and has featured in the Copa Del Rey, providing the Gaurs with a seasoned goalscoring option. In a match that will decide group-stage qualification, Chiki’s ability to score will be important to Goa’s chances of reaching the ACL Two 2026-27 group phase.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram. FC Goa will play FK Arkadag on 12th August at 8:30 pm IST.