Olunga the hero as Al Duhail reach cup semifinals in Qatar

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga produced a brilliant performance on Monday to help Al Duhail reach the semifinal of the 2024 Emir Cup.

Al Duhail came from behind to win the thrilling encounter which was played at the magnificent Al-Janoub Stadium 3-2.

The visitors took the lead in the third minute via Tunisian forward Youssef Al-Masakni, before Olunga leveled the proceedings five minutes later.

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Al Duhail’s goal came courtesy of an impressive work from Al-Moez Ali, who sent in a cross headed into the back of the net by Olunga.

However, it only took two minutes before Al-Msakni hurt the feelings of the home fans again, this time round unleashing a shot from outside the box to make it 2-1.

After the goal, the hosts piled pressure on Al-Arabi, trying to get the equalizer by any means possible.

The constant attacks eventually paid fruit in the 25th minute when former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho found an equalizer.  

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Coutinho’s goal ensured the two sides went into the break on level terms, but overall, Al-Duhail were the better side in the first 45 minutes.

After the half time break, the hosts picked from where they had left. The attacking trio of Olunga, Coutinho and Ali did not give their opponent’s backline any breathing space, launching attack after attack.

With less than 15 minutes gone into the second half, Ismail Mohamed, who had seen his effort hit the goal post at the closing stages of the first half, received a pass from Coutinho before setting up Olunga for the third goal.

The Christophe Galtier-coached side will now play Al Sadd for a place in the last four.

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