FC Goa registered their first win in Asian football competitions , and it came at time when they needed it the most.




Goa seemed to be headed for another disappointing result in the AFC Challenge League when they surrendered their early lead in the 78th minute against Bangladesh’s Fortis FC . Chiki , however, rescued the team with a late winner to keep them in the race for a quarterfinal spot at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait on Tuesday.




Jorje Ortiz provided a sixth-minute lead to Goa when he headed home Udanta Singh’s cross into the box. The Super Cup champions seemed in control of the proceedings for most part but conceded against the run of play in the 78th minute when substitute Rafayel Tudu drew level for Fortis. There was disbelief all around, before Chiki scored in his third consecutive match with five minutes left on the clock.




It was an important win as the three points kept Goa in the race for a place in the knockout stage of Asian football’s third-tier club competition.




Goa showed aggression from the start with Muhammed Nemil firing wide following a swift counter-attack before they opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Ortiz, whose header was deflected into the back of the net by Ananta Tamang.




Ortiz continued to threaten, shooting wide a minute later, before forcing Fortis goalkeeper Sujan Perera into a save in the 14th minute, with Sandesh Jhingan’s header sailing just wide from the resultant corner.




Fortis rarely threatened with Pa Omar Babou’s freekick being the only effort that alerted goalkeeper Lara Sharma.




In the second session, Goa coach Gouramangi Singh made two changes, bringing in Franchu for Ortiz on the wings, while KC Malsawmsanga replaced Harsh Patre.




Goa had chances to inflate their lead but chances were wasted largely due to poor shooting.




Fortis, however, remained composed and were rewarded with the equaliser in the 78th minute when Stephen Chukwude sent a delightful through ball down the middle for Tudu, who shrugged off two defenders before calmly slotting it past Lara.




In what was essentially a must-win game after the loss against FC Regar TadAZ, Goa’s dream appeared to crash. Then, Franchu opened the rival defence with a through pass to Chiki, who finished past the goalkeeper into the top left corner.




There was drama in the seventh minute of added on time when Essa Jallow was sent off for a second bookable offence.




This was Goa’s first win in Asia in their third year. On their AFC Champions League debut in 2020-21, there were fighting draws against Al Rayyan (Qatar) and Al Wahda (UAE), while they lost all group-stage games in AFC Champions League Two last season.




Goa now face Al-Qadsia (Kuwait) in their concluding group-stage clash on Friday.