FC Goa will play all their games in the group stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League in Goa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced today. India was granted the hosting rights by the confederation earlier today, confirming the games to be played out in Goa.
The Gaurs created history in 2020 when they became the first-ever Indian side to qualify for group stages of the AFC Champions League after clinching the top spot in the Hero Indian Super League last season.
FC Goa’s historic maiden voyage into Asian continental football was given further shape in January as they were drawn into Group E of the 2021 AFC Champions League alongside defending West Region champions Persepolis (Iran), Al Rayyan (Qatar), and the Winners of Play-off West 4 that will be between UAE’s Al-Wahda and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa.
The Gaurs’ historic campaign in the 2021 AFC Champions League is all set to take off on April 14, 2021, against Al Rayyan. The former ISL Shield winners will then take on the Winners of Play-off West 4 (between UAE’s Al-Wahda and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa) on April 17 before squaring off against the reigning champions of the West Region – Persepolis from Iran on April 20.
Juan Ferrando’s men will again square off against Persepolis three days later on April 23 before finishing off the group stages with games on April 26 and April 29 against Al Rayyan and Winners of Play-off West 4 respectively.