FC Goa Eye Perfect Group Stage Finish Against North East United

Goa, October 31, 2025: With a semi-final berth already secured, FC Goa will look to round off their Group B campaign in style when they face Northeast United FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday, November 1. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.

The Gaurs became the first team to confirm their place in the last four following victories over Jamshedpur FC and Inter Kashi. Their performances have reflected both control and consistency, hallmarks of Manolo Marquez’s side as they continue their Super Cup title defence with authority.

For Northeast United, the fixture provides an opportunity to end their campaign on a positive note. The Durand Cup champions have shown plenty of promise this campaign and will be eager to test themselves against the defending champions under the Fatorda lights.

Having already qualified for the semis-finals, Head Coach Manolo Marquez is expected to rotate his squad ahead of a demanding week that includes a continental trip to Saudi Arabia to face Al Nassr FC in the AFC Champions League Two. Tomorrow’s match offers a valuable platform for several players to gain competitive minutes while ensuring the team maintains rhythm heading into the semis. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Marquez acknowledged the benefit of early qualification and the importance of sharing opportunities within the squad:

”It’s very good news for us to have already qualified for the semifinals because yes, we can rotate the players. Everyone is training very well, very hard, and all of them will have the chance to play this tournament. Like the other day against Inter Kashi, some players featured, and tomorrow we will also feature different players. We have the game in Saudi in a few days, and it’s definitely a huge positive for us to have already qualified for the semifinals.”

The Spaniard also highlighted the quality of Sunday’s opponents, praising Northeast United’s consistency and culture they are building at the club :

“Northeast is always a very difficult team; in fact, in my two seasons here in Goa, we drew four times and lost once. They have a very good coach and they’ve signed very good players. In past seasons, they relied a lot on counter attacks, but now they have added even more quality players who can help keep the ball and control games like Andy Rodriguez and Jairo Samperio. I think they have a very good squad, and this is the reason they were the champions in the Durand Cup. For me, they are one of the favourite teams to be in the fight for the ISL.”

Regardless of the result, FC Goa’s focus will be on maintaining their sharpness and momentum heading into the semi-finals and beyond. Another strong performance in Fatorda would further cement their growing confidence ahead of a busy run of fixtures at home and abroad.
About FC Goa

FC Goa is a professional football club based in Goa, competing in the Indian Super League (ISL). Nicknamed The Gaurs, the club has been one of the ISL’s most consistent performers — with multiple semi-final and final appearances, and the 2019-20 ISL League Winners’ Shield, which made them the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage.

Co-owned by Jaydev Mody, Akshay Tandon and Virat Kohli, FC Goa also runs one of India’s most comprehensive youth development systems, with U13–U19 and Development Teams competing nationally and producing talents like Brison Fernandes, Liston Colaco and more.

The club has enjoyed major success in recent years — winning the Durand Cup (2021) and becoming two-time Super Cup champions (2019 & 2024). Following their 2024 triumph, FC Goa are currently representing India in the AFC Champions League 2.