FC Goa secured their first victory of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharti Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.
The Gaurs made a blistering start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. A well-delivered corner from Dejan Dražić found Pol Moreno unmarked inside the box, and the defender powered his header past goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee.
Goa continued to dictate possession and nearly doubled their lead shortly after, but Brison Fernandes’ diving header struck the upright. The second goal arrived in the 32nd minute when Udanta Singh was brought down inside the penalty area. Dražić stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give the visitors a 2-0 cushion heading into halftime.
Mohammedan SC attempted to shift momentum in the second half with multiple substitutions, creating a few promising opportunities. Their best chance came in the 72nd minute, but goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari produced a brilliant save to preserve Goa’s advantage.
Despite late pressure from both sides, the scoreline remained unchanged as FC Goa comfortably saw out the match. The result provisionally lifts them to the top of the table with four points from two matches, while Mohammedan SC are still searching for their first goal and points of the season.
FC Goa have announced Indian Super Gaming League as the club’s Principal Sponsor for the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, marking a significant step in blending traditional sport with the rapidly growing esports ecosystem in India. As part of the agreement, ISGL will feature prominently on the front of FC Goa’s matchday kits, strengthening its visibility while aligning with one of Indian football’s most progressive clubs.
The partnership comes at a strategically aligned moment, with the timelines of the Indian Super League and the debut season of the Indian Super Gaming League running in sync. This alignment allows both entities to maximise engagement and build a shared narrative that connects football fans with the expanding gaming community across the country.
Beyond jersey branding, ISGL will have a strong presence across FC Goa’s digital platforms and branding initiatives, enabling the creation of engaging and interactive content that resonates with both sports and esports audiences. The collaboration aims to foster deeper connections between fans while opening new avenues for storytelling and community engagement.
The Indian Super Gaming League, an initiative by LetsGameNow, represents a focused push towards the growth and professionalisation of esports in India. With a structured format, diverse gaming titles, and a nationwide reach, the league is designed to identify, nurture, and elevate emerging gaming talent. Backed by extensive experience in organising gaming tournaments, LetsGameNow aims to position ISGL as a premier competitive platform, with its grand finale scheduled to take place in Mumbai on March 15.
Speaking on the partnership, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur expressed enthusiasm about welcoming ISGL on board, noting that esports is gaining significant momentum in India and aligns with the club’s philosophy of grassroots development. He highlighted that both organisations share a common goal of creating structured opportunities for young talent, whether on the football pitch or in competitive gaming arenas.
Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder of LetsGameNow, emphasised that the collaboration reflects a natural extension of ISGL’s mission to provide credible platforms for aspiring players. He noted that FC Goa embodies the sporting aspirations of Goa’s youth and shares a commitment to building professional pathways for emerging talent. The partnership, he added, represents a strategic integration of traditional sports and esports, driven by discipline, ambition, and opportunity.
As part of its nationwide outreach, the league will host qualifying rounds across five cities, including Goa, where the event is scheduled for March 6 in association with FC Goa. The initiative offers aspiring gamers a chance to compete across multiple esports titles, reinforcing ISGL’s vision of empowering the next generation of players to perform confidently on both national and global stages.
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 is all set to launch on February 14, marking another thrilling chapter in India’s top-tier football competition. 14 teams from across the country will battle it out over the course of the season, aiming for supremacy, glory, and a chance to lift the coveted ISL trophy.
Fans can look forward to a season filled with tactical battles, emerging young talents, and international stars showcasing their skills on Indian soil. With fixtures scheduled across major cities, the league promises high-energy football, fan engagement, and electrifying stadium atmospheres.
Teams are preparing meticulously, with transfers, pre-season camps, and strategy sessions shaping up ahead of the kickoff. Clubs like Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha FC are expected to be major contenders, while new signings and promising youngsters could change the dynamics of the league.
The ISL continues to grow in stature, nurturing Indian football talent, attracting international attention, and inspiring fans across the country. With the season opener set for February 14, football enthusiasts can expect a fiery start to what promises to be a landmark season.
Stay tuned as the chase for the ISL summit begins!
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
Former India international and current Chennaiyin FC player Mandar Rao Dessai has urged football authorities to take immediate action to end the growing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL). In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, the Goan footballer described the situation as an “existential crisis” for Indian football and appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to act swiftly and bring clarity to the future of the league.
Mandar, who has represented India and played for clubs including FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, voiced his frustration over the ongoing delay in the start of the ISL season. His message resonated with players and fans alike, as he called for transparency and urgency from those responsible for managing the sport.
In his post, Mandar wrote that professional footballers across the ISL are united in their plea to resume competitive football in the country. “We want to play, and now,” he said, expressing the collective desperation of players who have been waiting for months to return to the field. He added that the lack of communication and direction from the authorities had left players, clubs, and supporters in the dark.
Mandar’s statement followed a turbulent period for Indian football, with the AIFF’s tender process for broadcast, sponsorship, and digital rights ending without success. The failed process, which was meant to ensure the league’s long-term stability, has instead intensified uncertainty and speculation about the ISL’s immediate future.
With no official start date or clarity from the federation, frustration continues to mount among players, clubs, and fans. Many believe that the ISL, once heralded as a new era for Indian football, now faces its toughest test yet.
Mandar’s words reflect a deep sense of passion and urgency, calling for the authorities to act in good faith and restore confidence in Indian football. As he put it, “We’ve been in a dark tunnel for too long — we could do with a little light.”
The call for action from senior players like Mandar Rao Dessai highlights a growing movement within the Indian football community — one that demands accountability, clarity, and the revival of the sport that millions across the country love.
In a landmark development for Indian football, former Australian winger Ryan Williams has officially received Indian citizenship — a move that signals the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) intent to include Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in the country’s football ecosystem.
The special moment unfolded in Bengaluru, where Williams’ Bengaluru FC teammate and Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri handed him his newly issued Indian passport. The heartwarming handover, filled with smiles and camaraderie, was captured on camera and quickly went viral across social media.
Ryan Williams, who has previously played in the English Championship and the A-League, joined Bengaluru FC earlier this year. His decision to take up Indian citizenship has been widely lauded by fans and sports experts as a potential game-changer for Indian football, both in terms of global exposure and skill development.
Speaking about the milestone, Williams expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m proud to call India my home. This country has given me so much, and I’m excited to give back on the field wearing the Indian colours.”
With this step, the AIFF is moving closer to integrating talented players of Indian origin and OCI holders into the national setup — a long-discussed reform that could elevate India’s footballing standards on the global stage.
The handover by Sunil Chhetri, India’s most celebrated footballer, symbolized the passing of both pride and responsibility. As fans celebrated online, it became clear that this moment was not just about citizenship — but about belonging, unity, and a bold vision for India’s sporting future.
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