FC Goa will play in the third tier of Asian club football this season after losing their AFC Champions League Two playoff against FK Arkadag (0-3) in Turkmenistan on Wednesday.Goa measured up to the challenge in the first half as they held Arkadag goalless. But goals from Diniyev Meylis (62′), Rahman Myratberdiyev (64′) and Sapargulyyev Arzuvguly (75′) ended Goa’s hopes of featuring in ACL2 for a second consecutive season.The Super Cup champions will now feature in the AFC Challenge League against clubs from lesser-ranked football nations.Since inception in 2023, Arkadag have won every league and cup match in Turkmenistan over the past three seasons — 99 in total – and it showed why the home side were in total control right from the start.On the other hand, a new-look Goa were playing their first competitive fixture of the season under new head coach Gouramangi Singh, who was assistant to Manolo Marquez last season.Captain Sandesh Jhingan and Udanta Singh were the only two notable names in the starting 11. Gouramangi started with all four foreign players, despite one having just one session and defender Alex Zalaya joining the team directly in Turkmenistan. Young goalkeeper Bob Jackson, who came up from Goa’s team ranks, shouldered a big responsibility and did well initially alongside full backs Sitroy Carvalho and Akash Konsam, who were handed senior team debuts.Arkadag were all over Goa’s territory right from the start.The home team came close when Sapargulyyev Arzuvguly’s cross found Begench Akmamedov. However, Bob did well to deny Begench and reacted quickly to deny Rahman. The latter shot across goal minutes later, but thankfully there was no Arkadag player at the far end to give finishing touches.At the half-way mark, Gouramangi decided to change his formation and introduced midfielder Muhammed Nemil in place of Sitroy, a move that saw Udanta at right back.Goa slowly started to build momentum and won a freekick on the edge of the box. Jhinghan leaped highest but could not direct Franchu’s delivery towards goal.Before the break, Arkadag came close as Rahman’s volley sailed over. Then, Bob stretched his legs to deny Mekan Saparov as he tried to poke in a right-foot grounder.In the second half, the trend continued as Bob once again parried away Rahman’s ambitious effort.There was some drama in the 58th minute when Arkadag thought they had broken the deadlock after Bob fumbled a shot from substitute Durdiyev Didar. The Goa keeper collected the ball on the goalline and match referee Abdullah Jamali initially declared a goal. However, the referee reverted his decision after consulting his assistant, who ruled it was offside.Arkadag, however, could not be denied the opener in the 62nd minute when Diniyev Meylis’ chip sailed over the defence and Bob. Just three minutes later, Rahman was rewarded for his hard work when he won the ball himself and unleashed a right-foot grounder past the goalkeeper.It was all over for Goa in the 75th minute when Sapargulyyev converted a fine freekick.
