Olunga scores hat-trick as Al Duhail win 7-goal thriller
Qatar Tribune
AFC Jeddah A scintillating display of attacking talent at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium saw seven goals scored as Qatarâs Al Duhail SC emerged 4-3 winn...
AFCJeddah A scintillating display of attacking talent at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium saw seven goals scored as Qatarâs Al Duhail SC emerged 4-3 winners over Islamic Republic of Iranâs Esteghlal FC on Matchday Three of the 2021 AFC Champions League Group C on Wednesday.Both sides went into the Matchday Three encounter hopeful of extending an unbeaten record, with Al Duhail having collected four points from their opening two games and Esteghlal having earned the full six points.Esteghlal wasted no time, instantly taking the game to their opponents and were rewarded with the opener within four minutes. Seyed Ahmad Mousaviâs whipped cross from the right was converted into the back of the net through Amir Arsalan Motahariâs powerful header.Al Duhailâs response did not take long as Abdullah Al Ahrakâs long ball into the box was controlled by Edmilson who then fired a left-footed effort from six yards out that was parried by goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri into the path of Michael Olunga who nodded home the equaliser in the 10th minute.The Kenyan striker then added his second of the night, pouncing on a misplaced pass from Esteghlal centre-back Masoud Rigi to seize possession inside the box and slot home Al Duhailâs second just before the half-hour mark.Coach Farhad Majidiâs men were determined to get back into the game and 10 minutes before the half time break, they had restored parity as Farshid Esmaeili supplied a defence-splitting pass to Motahari who squared it across the face of goal for Cheick Diabate who was left with a simple tap-in for his third goal of the 2021 AFC Champions League.Just before the referee prepared to blow the half-time whistle, Al Ahrak found space inside the Esteghlal area and swept home Mohammad Musaâs low cross from the right flank to put the Qatari side in the lead again.The gameâs end-to-end action continued after the restart with Esteghlal equalising a second time as Diabateâs header from the corner was blocked by Benatia but fell to club captain Esmaeili who sent a diving header into the empty net to make it 3-3 with his third goal in as many games.Five minutes before the final whistle, Olunga completed the first hat-trick of the 2021 AFC Champions League, controlling a cross from substitute Ismael Mohammed and driving home his sideâs winner on the turn to round off an entertaining battle for the top spot in the group.With the win, Al Duhail topple Esteghlal off the summit of Group C as the Qataris move to seven points, leaving the Iranians a point behind. The two sides lock horns again in three days time.Scoreline: Al Duhail 4 (Michael Olunga 10â, 27â, 85â; Abdullah Al Ahrak 43â) bt Esteghlal FC 3 (Amir Arsalan Motahari 4â, Cheick Diabte 34â, Farshid Esmaeli 74â).More Related News