Panaji: FC Goa will need a winning start to keep themselves in the reckoning for a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League , Asian football ’s third-tier club competition.




Goa played in the AFC Champions League in 2021 and second-tier ACL 2 last season. On both occasions, the team failed to make it out of the group. This time around, even with a comparatively weakened side, the Super Cup champions have a chance of qualification but will need an encouraging start against Tajikistan's FC Regar-Tadaz at the Mohammed Al Hamad Stadium in Kuwait on Saturday.




Only one of the four teams -- Al Qadsia SC (Kuwait) and Fortis FC (Bangladesh) being the others – will automatically qualify from the group for the quarterfinals. Besides the three West Zone group winners, the best second-placed side will also advance to the next stage, where they will be joined by four teams from the East.




“We have been preparing for this since the time we found out who we were playing (in the group),” Goa coach Gouramangi Singh said during the pre-match media interaction. “We did a little bit of research on all the three teams. All of them have a good record and are very competitive. We are looking forward to a strong start.”




FC Regar-Tadaz, who secured their group-stage place with an impressive 3-0 victory over Maldives' Maziya Sports & RC, are on top of Vysshaya Liga, the top tier league in Tajikistan, after 18 matches. Chasing them closely is FC Istiklol, a side that defeated Goa twice in last season’s ACL 2 campaign.




“It's not going to be easy,” said Gouramangi.




“We have some idea about the Tajikistan league because when we played the AFC Champions League 2 (last season), Istiklol were in our group. Their league is very strong, and the fact that FC Regar-Tadaz are on top shows they are a good side. They’ve played 18 matches and I am sure they are in a good rhythm.”




Gouramangi took over as coach this season and is looking for a win after two matches. While Goa lost the AFC Champions League Two playoff against FK Arkadag, their ISL opener against Chennaiyin FC ended 1-1 at home last week.




Goa have registered five foreign players for the continental challenge. All of them have travelled to Kuwait for the centralised group stage but winger Franchu is injured and unlikely to play the opener. The Argentinian started the clash against Chennaiyin but had to be replaced by Jorge Ortiz in the first half itself.




Spanish striker Chiki gave a good account of himself and made an instant impact on his ISL debut for Goa. The striker’s form will be decisive in his team’s Asian campaign.




In the other match, Kuwait's Al Qadsia SC begin their challenge against Fortis FC, who will be determined to enjoy a maiden continental campaign.