Olunga helps Al Duhail to end Champions League campaign on a high
6th December 2023
The Kenyan captain scored the match winner in the final group stage game.
- The Harambee Stars skipper, who was introduced in the second half, scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute.
- Al Duhail went on to win the game 1-2 against Persepolis.
- His goal was not enough to help the Qatari-based side to advance to the next round of the competition.
Michael Olunga had a brilliant cameo against Persepolis in
their final group match of the 2023/2024 Asian Champions League campaign on
Tuesday night, December 5.
The Harambee Stars skipper, who was introduced in the second
half, scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute to help his Qatari outfit to a
1-2 victory in the classic match held at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
Persepolis were the first to get into the scoresheet in the 7th minute via Shahab Zahedi but their celebrations did not last long as Mohammed Muntari restored parity in the match just two minutes later.
The two clubs did their best to get on the driving seat with
Persepolis looking the more dangerous ones as they dominated possession for the
majority of the match.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail tried to hurt the hosts through counter
attacks but Persepolis defenders stood firm, not wanting to let their fans
down.
At the stroke of the 80th minute, Persepolis were awarded a spot kick after an Al Duhail player brought Mohammad Omri down inside the box.
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However,
the hosts failed to take advantage of the opportunity, with Giorgi Gvelesiani
agonizingly missing the penalty.
Persepolis paid for the miss when Olunga scored Al Duhail’s
winning goal to ensure his side picked up a win in the final Group E
match.
However, Olunga’s goal was not enough to help the Qatari-based side to advance to the next round of the competition, having finished third with seven points, one behind Persepolis.
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The star-studded Al Nassr side topped the group with 14
points, 11 more than the bottom-placed Istikol.
Olunga, who recently became Al Duhail’s all-time Champions
League goal scorer has now netted 19 goals in the tournament since joining the
club.
“Happy to end the AFC Champions League with a goal and victory. God is the driver,” stated the ex-Gor Mahia striker.
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