Al Nasr won, but FC Goa wrote the heroic story. The story of Goan fighting spirit stopping the star-studded Al Nasr team will be sung by Indian football fans in the future. FC Goa lost 2-1 to Al Nasr in the AFC Champions League Football Group Two match, but it is as sweet as victory.
Angelo Damasino (10) and Haroon Kamara (26) scored the goals for the Saudi club. Goa’s reply was by local hero Bison Fernandez (41). Al Nasr’s home match against FC Goa is on the 5th of next month. With the win, Al Nasr has 9 points from 3 matches in AFC Champions League Group Two.
Goa held on by building a fortress in defense and igniting a fast counterattack whenever they got the ball. Al Nasr first screened a new movie in front of the audience who had come to expect a multi-starrer film. Fans who were disappointed that Cristiano Ronaldo did not come were disappointed again.
Sadio Mane, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman were on the bench. Spanish star Inigo Martinez and Brazilian goalkeeper Bento were the superstars on the field. In the first half when the stars were out, Brazilian star Angelo Damasano shone for Al Nasr. The first goal came from the boot of the 20-year-old, who became a bridge between the midfield and the forwards.
As the game started, Al Nasr’s attack began in the FC Goa half like rain in the southwest monsoon. FC Goa’s counterattacks were frequent like summer rain. Many of Al Nasr’s advances were diverted by hitting the defensive barrier built by Sandesh Jhingan and Paul Moreno. The strength that has allowed Goa to stand tall even in defeat is its defense.
