- Harambee Stars led 1-0 but lost 2-1
- The match was played in Tehran
- It was the first match for Harambee Stars in 18 months
Two errors at the back in the last quarter of an hour saw Harambee Stars drop a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Iran in a friendly match played in Tehran on Tuesday night.
Michael Olunga had given Kenya the lead six minutes after the restart, but two set pieces saw Stars concede late goals to cede the victory.
Head coach Engin Firat, despite the defeat, said he was happy with how the players showed up for the match and the performance they put.
“I said always that we need time for these boys. This was their first time together in a long time and against a very strong team like Iran. It was always going to be difficult. But I am happy with the way they played and fought for everything,” coach Firat said after the match.
He added; “We were unlucky to lose but in the end everyone understands that we have a clear way to follow.”
Olunga delighted team back together
Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga poses for a photo before the match. PHOTO/FKF
Skipper Olunga who scored the goal was delighted that the team had come together for the first time in almost 18 months.
“It was great for the team to come back after such a long time. This was important for us as we start our journey back and I am hopeful that we can build from here. I am also delighted to have been on the scoresheet but would have been better if we won,” noted the Al Duhail forward.
Ramin Razaeian starred for Iran, assisting the equalizer for Mohamed Mohebi then scoring scored the winner with a bit of help from a Patrick Matasi goalkeeping howler.
Iran had been off to a good start, powered by their home fans in Tehran. They had a chance 11 minutes on the clock when Shahriyar Moghanlou picked up the ball from range after keeper Matasi punched to his pathbut his shot was over the bar.
Stars had two good chances on the other end, first Olunga firing over from distance while Duke Abuya kneed the ball straight to the keeper after some brilliant work from Amos Nondi who then slashed in a cross from the right.
Stars start second half well
Action between Harambee Stars and Iran. PHOTO/FKF
In the second half, Stars started well and got into the lead six minutes after the restart when Olunga picked the ball from halfway, turned away from his marker before running down to the edge of the six yard box to shoot low into the bottom right.
The home side picked up their momentum after conceding and came close on the hour mark when Mohebi struck a shot from a tight angle but it was saved by Matasi, before Aref Aghasi curled the ball over.
In the 70th minute, Joseph Okumu put in a brilliant block to deny Mehdi Taremi from close range.
But, the home side earned the leveller 14 minutes from time when Mohebi glanced in a header from a Razaeian freekick, with Matasi off his line.
The new Kenya Police FC shot stopper than had a blunder to forget six minutes from time when he let the ball slip under his arms from a Razaeian shot from a tight angle following a quick start to a freekick on the left.
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