FC Goa’s struggles in the AFC Champions League Two continued on Wednesday as they fell 0-2 to Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol at the Central Stadium in Hisor. Second-half goals from Rustam Soirov and substitute Reza Dehghani secured Istiklol’s first points of the group stage, leaving Goa still searching for their opening victory after two defeats.

The Indian side, coming off a 0-1 home loss to Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC in their opener, showed some promise in the first half but failed to make their opportunities count. Goa’s best early chance arrived in the 22nd minute when Borja Herrera’s corner caused chaos in the Istiklol box. The ball eventually fell to Spanish defender Pol Moreno, but his hurried shot sailed over the bar.

The contest, largely scrappy, came alive just before the break. Siavash Haghnazari broke free inside the area but saw his effort comfortably saved by Goa goalkeeper Arshdeep Tiwari. Minutes later, Herrera’s close-range header, from a pinpoint cross by Boris Singh, forced a spectacular diving stop from Istiklol keeper Stosic Nikola to keep the score level at half-time.

However, Goa’s resistance crumbled almost immediately after the restart. A defensive lapse involving captain Sandesh Jhingan and Moreno left space for Soirov, who pounced on the loose ball and rifled a shot into the top corner beyond Tiwari’s reach in the 46th minute.

Goa tried to mount a quick response, with Javi Siverio and Brison Fernandes both going close in the 55th minute, but neither could keep their efforts on target. The missed chances proved costly. In the 74th minute, substitute Dehghani, who had only been on the pitch for eight minutes, capitalised on another defensive lapse. After Istiklol’s Shervoni Rahimov saw his shot blocked, the Iranian forward latched onto the rebound and powered a drive past Tiwari to double the home side’s lead.

Despite late pressure, including a last-minute attempt from Dejan Drazic that flew over the bar in a crowded penalty area, Goa could not find a way back into the contest.

The defeat leaves FC Goa rooted to the bottom of Group D after two matches, with Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia up next in Margao on October 22. Istiklol, buoyed by their first win after a heavy 5-0 loss to Al Nassr in their opener, will take on Al Zawraa the same day.

For Goa, sharper finishing and fewer defensive errors will be crucial if they hope to turn their campaign around.