All posts tagged: fc goa

How Kolkata Derby could decide ISL 2025-26 title race?

How Kolkata Derby could decide ISL 2025-26 title race?

Published by Webster

The 2025-26 Indian Super League season is heading towards a dramatic finish. Usually, by the final week of the ISL season, the points table gives a fairly clear indication of who is likely to lift the title. But this season has been anything but predictable. With the league set to conclude on May 21, as many as seven teams, from current table toppers East Bengal FC to seventh-placed Mumbai City FC, remain mathematically in contention for the league title. The ISL follows a single-leg round-robin format this season, where all 14 teams play each other once. Unlike previous editions, there are no playoffs or knockout rounds this year, meaning the team finishing at the top of the table after 91 matches will be crowned champions. And because of that format, every remaining match suddenly feels like a final. Here’s a look at what each of the seven teams needs to do to win the ISL title: East Bengal Points: 22 from 11 matches | Goal Difference: +18 East Bengal FC currently sit at the top …

FC Goa register first win of the season

FC Goa register first win of the season

Published by Webster

FC Goa posted a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club on Friday, to secure their first victory of Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Kishore Bharti Krirangan in Kolkata. The victory provisionally lifted FC Goa to the top of the table with four points from two matches, while Mohammedan are yet to score their first after their first two games. Pol Moreno opened the scoring in the 4th minute, and their advantage was doubled in the 32nd through a Dejan Dražić penalty as The Gaurs went into half-time with a 2-0 lead. Pol Moreno was adjudged the Player of the Match. FC Goa struck early, as Dražić’s out-swinging corner found Moreno unmarked inside the area. The defender powered a header past Subhajit Bhattacharjee, leaving the Mohammedan goalkeeper with no chance. Goa nearly doubled their advantage moments later with another sweeping move. Brison Fernandes, left completely unmarked inside the area, met Boris Singh’s cross with a diving header that beat the goalkeeper, but crashed back into play off the upright. The visitors dictated the tempo …

Mohun Bagan SG to open season against Kerala Blasters in Kolkata

Mohun Bagan SG to open season against Kerala Blasters in Kolkata

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has revealed a tentative schedule for the delayed twelfth season of the Indian Super League on Monday. After a long hiatus, India’s premier football league is certainly getting back with a depleted single round robin season from February 14th to May 17th. The defending champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giants, will kick off the season against Kerala Blasters FC at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata at 5:00 PM. Later in the day, the Durand Cup champions FC Goa will begin their season against the newly promoted club from Uttar Pradesh, Inter Kashi FC, at the Fatorda Stadium. The league will also take a 10-day halt in late March after six matchweeks, for India’s final group fixture at the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Hong Kong. The 2025–26 ISL season has been proposed with a total budget of ₹24.26 crore, of which ₹9.77 crore will be contributed by AIFF, while each participating club will contribute ₹1 crore. Earlier, Chaubey has also confirmed that the management has held meetings with all …

FIFPro urges ISL clubs to ‘respect players’ contractual entitlements’ amid salary cuts | Football News

FIFPro urges ISL clubs to ‘respect players’ contractual entitlements’ amid salary cuts | Football News

Published by Webster

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) on Saturday urged the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to “to respect players’ contractual entitlements” amid multiple reports of players in the league having to accept pay cuts. The league is scheduled to start on February 14, five months later than the usual schedule, which has led to clubs incurring heavy losses. It has also resulted in most players going for months without pay and, in the days since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new start date for the league, multiple clubs have announced that players have agreed to take pay cuts for this season. “Many have been forced to rely on personal savings, take short-term contracts in state leagues, or seek alternative employment simply to support themselves and their families,” FIFPRO Asia/Oceania said in its official statement. “Despite these extraordinary challenges, players have continued to demonstrate Incredible professionalism. Alarmingly, FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has received recent reports that several clubs are pressuring contracted players into accepting salary reductions.” STATEMENT | @FIFPROAsiaOce calls on all Indian Super …

‘Selfless act’: FC Goa players, staff agree to salary cut ahead of truncated Indian Super League season | Football News

‘Selfless act’: FC Goa players, staff agree to salary cut ahead of truncated Indian Super League season | Football News

Published by Webster

Calling it a “selfless” act, FC Goa said its players and support staff, including India captain Sandesh Jhingan, have agreed to take a pay cut for the truncated 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season, which begins on February 14. In a statement posted on X, the Goan club said it held “honest and difficult conversations” with the squad and staff amid the ongoing turmoil in Indian football and the uncertainty surrounding the league. “In a moment of real uncertainty for Indian football, our club had honest and difficult conversations about the challenges we are facing. What followed was something that made us incredibly proud,” the club said. “Our First Team players and Technical Staff stepped forward, stood together, and chose to support the club by agreeing to reduce their remuneration during this period. This was not an easy decision. It was a selfless one.” Club Update. ✍🏻🟠 pic.twitter.com/CKjo6zGFn6 — FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) January 15, 2026 The AIFF Super Cup champions said they were “deeply humbled” by the gesture and expressed gratitude for the unity and …

All 14 clubs confirm participation in truncated ISL season, end to limbo in sight | Football News

All 14 clubs confirm participation in truncated ISL season, end to limbo in sight | Football News

Published by Webster

All the 14 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have confirmed the participation in the delayed 2025-26 season after writing to All India Football Federation (AIFF). The confirmation from the clubs would clear the uncertainty around the start of a truncated top-flight season starting on February 14. Earlier last week on January 6, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had announced that the ISL, which has been on hold due to the absence of a commercial partner, would start on February 14, with all the 14 clubs taking part in it. However, as reported by The Indian Express, only 10 clubs had confirmed by then and it was a verbal confirmation. But now all the clubs have formally confirmed their participation as per a PTI report. The top-tier ISL will feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had earlier said that a Governing Council Board would be formed to manage the league and it would be “empowered to take all commercial decisions.” On Saturday, the AIFF had asked the clubs to send the details …

FC Goa’s Asian campaign comes to a close

FC Goa’s Asian campaign comes to a close

Published by Webster

FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two journey came to an end at the Fatorda on an emotional night that summed up both the pride and uncertainty surrounding Indian football. With no clarity on what the future holds for Indian clubs on the continental stage, the Gaurs once again showed character, intent, and belief as they played their final group game. The evening saw FC Goa add another chapter to their Asian story, with Dejan Drazic finding the net to register the club’s third goal of the ACL 2 campaign. It completed a set of memorable moments in the competition; the landmark strike against Al Nassr at home, a deflected own goal away to Al Zawraa in Iraq, and now a final goal at the Fatorda in what may be the club’s last continental outing till the 2025–26 Super Cup champions await clarity on their rightful position in the same competition next season. Despite finishing the group stage without points, FC Goa’s performances throughout the tournament consistently reflected a side capable of competing at this level. …

AFC Champions League 2: FC Goa pause play to draw attention to Indian football situation

AFC Champions League 2: FC Goa pause play to draw attention to Indian football situation

Published by Webster

FC Goa paused play in the opening few seconds of their 2025 AFC Champions League Two clash against FC Istiklol in what the club termed a “symbolic gesture” to draw the global attention to the mess Indian football finds itself in. With the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for the Indian Super League (ISL) ceasing to exist earlier this year, the country is without a league for football. “At the start of our AFC Champions League Two match, FC Goa’s players briefly paused active play for the opening seconds as a symbolic gesture to highlight the uncertainty currently affecting Indian football,” FC Goa said in a statement. The club clarified that their actions were not targeted at their opponents FC Istiklol or AFC. “This action was solely intended to draw attention to the broader challenges facing the domestic football ecosystem,” the statement read. “It was not directed at our opponents FC Istiklol, the AFC, or the AFC Champions League Two, all of whom we …

FC Goa edge East Bengal on penalties to retain AIFF Super Cup title

FC Goa edge East Bengal on penalties to retain AIFF Super Cup title

Published by Webster

FC Goa secured back-to-back AIFF Super Cup titles after defeating East Bengal FC 6–5 on penalties in a tightly contested final at the Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Sunday. The win makes Goa the first club in Indian football history to successfully defend the Super Cup trophy. The final remained goalless through regulation time despite both sides creating half-chances and applying sustained pressure in phases. East Bengal and Goa continued to battle through an additional 30 minutes of extra time, but neither team found the breakthrough required to avoid a shootout. Goa prevail in sudden death after tense shootout The penalty contest reflected the balance of the match, with both sides converting four each in the initial set of kicks. With the score at 4–4, the final proceeded to sudden death. Goa held their nerve in the decisive moments, while East Bengal faltered on their final attempt, handing the defending champions a 6–5 victory. The triumph secures Goa’s place in the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League Two for the 2026–27 …

AIFF Super Cup: East Bengal and FC Goa to clash in the final

AIFF Super Cup: East Bengal and FC Goa to clash in the final

Published by Webster

East Bengal and FC Goa registered contrasting victories in the respective semi-finals to set up the 2025 AIFF Super Cup title clash against each other on Thursday. East Bengal produced a performance of grit and ruthless efficiency to book their place in a third AIFF Super Cup final, defeating Punjab FC 3–1. It marks their second final of the season, following their narrow IFA Shield defeat to Mohun Bagan SG. East Bengal took the lead in the 12th minute through Mohamad Bashim Rashid before Daniel Ramirez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot. But Kevin Sibille scored at the stroke of half-time before captain Saul Crespo sealed the match in the 71st minute for Oscar Bruzon’s men. The match began with both sides tense and cautious, feeling their way through a nervy opening. Punjab carved out the first big chance when Pramveer connected with a cross inside the tenth minute, only for his header to be skewed wide. Missing suspended defender Muhammed Uvais, Punjab looked slightly unsettled at the back, something East Bengal quickly exploited. …