Oblyakov stunner denies Harambee Stars high-profile win over Russia
By Joel Sang, October 17, 2023A late equaliser for Russia by Ivan Oblyakov denied Harambee Stars what would have been a historic win over the 2018 World Cup hosts at the Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey, on Monday, October 16, 2023.
Kenya, who were the first to concede during the thrilling game, fought back and were on course to register a rare victory over the Russians, but that was not the case as they conceded the second goal late in the second half, and therefore the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Russia’s lead
Meanwhile, Russia grabbed the lead in the ninth minute after a mistake from Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu. The Stade de Reims centre-back failed in his attempt to play from the back, and Alexander Sobolev maximized the opportunity to score.
Head coach Engin Firat had to make a change in the 10th minute when Bryne Odhiambo was injured and experienced Patrick Matasi had to be thrown into the goalkeeping mission. In recent games, the Turkish coach has preferred the KCB custodian over Matasi and Zesco United’s Ian Otieno.
Harambee Stars kept fighting despite the two early setbacks – conceding an early goal and an injury – and in the 18th minute, they earned an equaliser.
The equaliser came courtesy of a good combination between Michael Olunga and Anthony Akumu. The Sagan Tosu midfielder pressed the Russians, intercepted a pass from Ilya Pomazun, and then laid it on the path of Olunga.
The captain was not in a proper position to pull the trigger as he was put under pressure, and luckily, the rebounding ball fell on Akumu’s path, and the former Zesco United and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder scored in the 18th minute.
Olunga wasted a chance to score in the 35th minute, and although he was in a slightly better position to score, he would have passed it to Masoud Juma, who was in the best position to do so.
Just before the 40th-minute mark, Juma scored Kenya’s second goal. Russian goalkeeper Pomazun failed to fully clear a ball that was delivered into the box, and Juma was there to make maximum use of the mess to find the back of the net.
Olunga, the reigning Qatar Stars League Golden Boot winner, had an opportunity to have his name on the scoresheet in the 45th minute. He managed to trick two of his markers but ended up sending the ball wide with only Pomazun to beat.
Matasi’s saves
A save by Matasi in the 55th minute to deny Daler Kuzyaev ensured Kenya did not concede the second.
At the hour mark, Firat made changes with Ayub Timbe, who was doubtful for this game due to a slight injury, replacing Juma.
Matasi was called to quick action again in the 78th minute when he stopped Maksim Mukhin’s shot that was launched from outside the penalty box.
With Russia exerting more pressure, Kenneth Muguna and Rooney Onyango were withdrawn, and Brian Mandela and Daniel Sakari, defenders by trade, came in to replace them.
Russia’s continued pressure paid back in the 88th minute when Oblyakov, himself a second-half substitute, scored a stunner.
Harambee Stars will now shift focus to World Cup qualifiers against Gabon in Libreville on November 13.