<p>FC Goa is set to make its debut at the AFC Champions League Group Stage and its players feel it is not only a huge achievement but also an opportunity to showcase the "Indian brand of football" to the world.</p>.<p>FC Goa will become the first club from the country to play in the continental club competition on April 14 when they take on Qatar's Al-Rayyan.</p>.<p>India had earlier been granted a direct spot in the AFC Champions League Group Stage and having finished at the top of the Indian Super League table in the 2019-20 season, the Gaurs had qualified for the ACL.</p>.<p>"It's a huge achievement for the state and the country. It's more like a national representation rather than a club or state," India and FC Goa midfielder Brandon Fernandes said in an AIFF release.</p>.<p>"The entire nation will be watching us as one and so we ought to give it our all."</p>.<p>Owing to the ongoing pandemic situation, the Group E matches of the competition will be played in Goa this time, as the state will play host to teams like Persepolis (Iran), Al-Rayyan (Qatar), and Al-Wahda (UAE), along with FC Goa.</p>.<p>Ishan Pandita, who recently made his Blue Tigers debut in the 1-1 draw against Oman in Dubai feels that this is an opportunity to make the nation proud.</p>.<p>"It's obviously a very special feeling. It's a great opportunity that we have to show Asia and the world that India can play good football," said Ishan Pandita, who recently made his Blue Tigers debut in the 1-1 draw against Oman in Dubai.</p>.<p>Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who had represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, said "It's a very important step."</p>.<p>"It's not going to be easy. We are not just representing Goa, we are representing the whole country," he said.</p>.<p>Goa's local lad and India defender Adil Khan described it as "pride and privilege" for the state to host such prestigious matches in such difficult times.</p>.<p>"It is extremely special that for the first time, India is being represented at the biggest football stage in Asia. It is a historic occasion for India, and massive pride and privilege for Goa to represent the country in the Champions League," he said.</p>.<p>Midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam, who had captained India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup four years back, mentioned that the magnitude of the occasion is understood by everyone in the camp.</p>
<p>FC Goa is set to make its debut at the AFC Champions League Group Stage and its players feel it is not only a huge achievement but also an opportunity to showcase the "Indian brand of football" to the world.</p>.<p>FC Goa will become the first club from the country to play in the continental club competition on April 14 when they take on Qatar's Al-Rayyan.</p>.<p>India had earlier been granted a direct spot in the AFC Champions League Group Stage and having finished at the top of the Indian Super League table in the 2019-20 season, the Gaurs had qualified for the ACL.</p>.<p>"It's a huge achievement for the state and the country. It's more like a national representation rather than a club or state," India and FC Goa midfielder Brandon Fernandes said in an AIFF release.</p>.<p>"The entire nation will be watching us as one and so we ought to give it our all."</p>.<p>Owing to the ongoing pandemic situation, the Group E matches of the competition will be played in Goa this time, as the state will play host to teams like Persepolis (Iran), Al-Rayyan (Qatar), and Al-Wahda (UAE), along with FC Goa.</p>.<p>Ishan Pandita, who recently made his Blue Tigers debut in the 1-1 draw against Oman in Dubai feels that this is an opportunity to make the nation proud.</p>.<p>"It's obviously a very special feeling. It's a great opportunity that we have to show Asia and the world that India can play good football," said Ishan Pandita, who recently made his Blue Tigers debut in the 1-1 draw against Oman in Dubai.</p>.<p>Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who had represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017, said "It's a very important step."</p>.<p>"It's not going to be easy. We are not just representing Goa, we are representing the whole country," he said.</p>.<p>Goa's local lad and India defender Adil Khan described it as "pride and privilege" for the state to host such prestigious matches in such difficult times.</p>.<p>"It is extremely special that for the first time, India is being represented at the biggest football stage in Asia. It is a historic occasion for India, and massive pride and privilege for Goa to represent the country in the Champions League," he said.</p>.<p>Midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam, who had captained India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup four years back, mentioned that the magnitude of the occasion is understood by everyone in the camp.</p>