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FC Arkadag defeated India’s FC Goa 3-0 to secure their place in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League Two 2026/27™ at the Arkadag Stadium on Wednesday.
After a listless first half, Turkmenistan’s Arkadag turned on the style after the break to put them in the Group Stage draw to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 18.
Arkadag controlled the tempo from the start, using the flanks to find spaces with Arzuvguly Sapargulyev causing problems for Bob Jackson Raj, who then had to keep out Begench Akmammedov’s close range effort before repelling Abdy Basimow on the rebound.
FC Goa found themselves on the backfoot moments later when Rahman Myratberdiyew powered his way down the centre before releasing Akmammedov, who miscued his grounded effort across the face of the goalmouth.
Arkadag threatened again in the 26th minute when Bashimov’s looping header from a corner looked to be dropping over the line, but Raj stayed composed to produce a diving save to claw the ball away.
The Indian side had a chance to snatch the lead in the 42nd minute from a set-piece situation but Francisco Feuillassier put too much weight on the ball for Sandesh Jhingan to cause damage with a glancing header.
At the other end, another chance went begging for Arkadag a minute before the break with Myratberdiyew sending his overhead shot sailing over the bar from just above the six-yard box.
Arkadag’s sustained pressure in the second half finally paid off in the 58th minute when Yazgylych Gurbanov’s cross into the box found its way to Didar Durdyyew, whose effort from inside a crowded penalty area slipped through the grasp of Raj and crossed the line.
Myratberdiyew doubled Arkadag’s lead in the 65th minute when he pounced on a loose ball before surging inside the box and calmly slotting home with a composed finish past a sprawling Raj.
FC Goa fell further behind in the 75th minute with Sapargulyev bending his free-kick past a rooted Raj and into the top right corner to seal the victory.
