His lone goal secures them a 1-0 win over Sporting Club Delhi, move them on top
Fatorda: Dejan Drazic’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for FC Goa against Sporting Club Delhi in Match 15 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the PJN Stadium on Thursday.
The result lifted the Gaurs provisionally to the top with seven points from three games, while SC Delhi remain at the foot of the standings. Drazic was named Player of the Match.
Manolo Márquez made one change, starting Ishan Pandita in attack. Tomasz Tchórz introduced three alterations, including Nora Fernandes in goal and Ayush Adhikari in midfield.
Chances were limited in a tightly contested opening period. Sandesh Jhingan headed narrowly wide for Goa, while Matija Babović drew a save from Hrithik Tiwari with a long-range effort. Abdul Hudu also tested the keeper as Delhi looked to break forward.
The decisive moment came two minutes before the interval. Akash Sangwan delivered from the left and Drazic met it at the far post, finishing calmly for his third goal of the season.
Goa were awarded a penalty just after the hour when Ayush was penalised for handball, but Drazic sent his effort over the crossbar.
Ayush Chhetri then saw a shot cleared off the line by Rafael Ribeiro, who later headed wide from a corner at the other end. Delhi pushed late on, but Goa managed the closing stages efficiently to secure all three points.
ISL clubs reject Churchill Bros
Panaji: Indian Super League clubs have formally rejected a proposal to induct Churchill Brothers FC Goa into the ongoing 2025–26 season, writing to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to oppose any alteration to the competition structure.
Responding to the Federation’s letter dated February 25 seeking consent for Churchill’s inclusion, the clubs questioned why the matter had resurfaced. “Given that this issue was previously deliberated upon and aligned in discussions with the AIFF, we are unclear on the basis for reopening the matter,” they stated.
The clubs maintained that the season’s framework has already been finalised. “The ISL 2025–26 league structure is closed and final. It forms the basis of existing sporting, operational, financial and contractual reliance. No expansion or alteration is acceptable at this stage.”
This marks the second communication from the clubs to the Federation on the matter. Prior to the season’s kick-off on February 14, all ISL clubs except Mohammedan Sporting had written to the AIFF, urging it not to consider any proposal to induct Churchill Brothers.
