In their first appearance in continental football since 2021, Indian Super League side FC Goa are set to face Al Seeb Club of Oman in the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. The two-legged fixture will be a knockout, with the winner advancing to the group stage.
FC Goa was the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage, in 2021. The AFC Champions League 2, rebranded from the AFC Cup in 2024, is the second-tier continental tournament for Asian football clubs, below the AFC Champions League Elite.
All 11 of our #KalingaSuperCup goals that took us straight into Asia! 🚀🎇
— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) August 13, 2025
Welcome back your champions at the Fortress tonight: https://t.co/Zaux86KfXa
Re-watch our #KalingaSuperCup highlights on @JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/9K1IaABXUl pic.twitter.com/zqWA8QdNbU
FC Goa qualified for this year's preliminary stage by winning the Super Cup last season. Though they found themselves in a tough group in their last Asian campaign – with sides like Al Rayyan, Al Wahda and Persepolis FC – FC Goa managed three draws. They reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Al Hilal FC.
Who are Al Seeb, one of Oman's top sides?
FC Goa will have their task cut out against Al Seeb, who made history in 2022 by winning the then AFC Cup, thus becoming the only Omani club to do so. They also completed an extraordinary treble the same season, having already won the domestic league and cup.
Founded in 1972 but officially registered only in 2002, Al Seeb have won four of the last six Omani League titles and lifted the Omanian Cup four times in their history. Coached by Nikola Djurovic of Serbia, Al Seeb reached the quarterfinals of last season's AFC Challenge League. A UEFA A License holder, Djurovic made an impressive start, guiding the team to the Omani League and the Oman Professional League Cup wins.
With influential players such as striker Marwan Mubarak and midfielder Zaheer Al-Aghbari in their ranks, Al Seeb will be looking to make a mark in their first outing against an Indian club. They have won only one of their last five matches. But, FC Goa may not read too much into it since the defeats came after Al Seeb had secured the 2024-25 Omani League title.
