Kenya stun Qatar in friendly

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Friday, September 8th 2023 10:32 AM

Doha: In a friendly played at Al Janoub Stadium, Kenya defeated Qatar 2-1 thanks to a goal scored by Amos Nondi late in the second half. Michael Olunga of Kenya was the first to threaten the goal in the 12th minute, but Qatar goalkeeper Meshal Barsham stretched himself to block Olunga's attempt. Minutes later, Barsham blocked Masud Juma's pass with his leg to prevent the Kenyans from breaking the stalemate.   At 20 minutes in, though, the visitors' efforts paid off as defender Joseph Okumu superbly headed home a corner into the right corner of the net, giving the Harambee Stars the lead. The goal prompted Qatar to take action, and their first meaningful danger came in the form of two headers from Tariq Salaman and Bassam Arawi off consecutive corners. In the 33rd minute, Hasan Al Haydos scored a penalty kick after Yusif Abdulrisag was fouled after making a clever run by Kenyan defender Ouma, leaving Ouma with no choice but to foul the speedy Qatari winger. Qatar came out strong in the second half, with substitutes Ahmed Alaa and Abdulaziz Hatem nearly doubling the maroons' lead in the first five minutes. On 69 minutes in, Hatem was again on the verge of putting Qatar in the lead, but his effort from the outside of the box was deflected off the line by defender Okumu. A draw seemed certain until the 93rd minute, when Olunga made a surging run into the box and sent a shot that was met by the onrushing Nondi, who tapped the ball in for the win for the visitors.