3 days ago
Refereeing errors dash Seeb hopes as FC Goa advance
MUSCAT, AUG 13
Seeb rued some refereeing decisions including a penalty rejection as hosts FC Goa won 2-1 in the AFC Champions League playoff in India's Goa on Wednesday.
In the 43rd minute, the ball touched the hand of Dejan Drazic inside the box but the Chinese referee denied a penalty after consulting the line referee at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The triumph confirmed FC Goa's progression to the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/2026, while Seeb will continue their continental campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup.
Goals from Dejan Drazic (24th minute) and Javier Siverio (52') put the hosts in control before Nasser al Rawahi pulled one back for Seeb on the hour mark. Despite a spirited second-half push, Seeb's hopes were dashed amid what the Omani side felt were a series of questionable officiating calls by the Chinese referee in charge.
Seeb, the 2022 AFC Cup champions, began with intent. Within two minutes, Nasser al Rawahi forced FC Goa defender Pol Moreno into an acrobatic clearance, followed by Zahir al Aghbari's blocked attempt inside the box. The Omani side's pressure continued in the 23rd minute when Al Rawahi's timely tackle set up Abdulaziz al Muqbali, whose curling strike was parried away by goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari.
Just a minute later, FC Goa broke the deadlock. Borja Herrera's instinctive long pass found Drazic, who eluded Al Rawahi's challenge before chipping the ball into the net. After the break, the hosts doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Herrera's corner delivery found Siverio, who rose above the Seeb defence to head home.
Seeb responded quickly, with Ali al Busaidy cutting the ball back for Nasser al Rawahi to finish from close range in the 60th minute. The goal injected life into the match, but despite late pressure, the visitors couldn't find an equaliser.
While the loss means Seeb miss out a historic milestone to become the first Omani club to reach the AFC Champions League Two Group Stage, the club will now turn their focus to making a strong impact in the AFC Challenge League, where they aim to replicate the continental success of their 2022 AFC Cup triumph.
