Red-hot Michael Olunga scores another hat-trick
Al Duhail's Kenyan striker Michael Olunga scores his team's third goal during their Qatar Stars League match against Qaatr SC on September 7, 2022 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
What you need to know:
- Al Duhail now leads Group “B” with six points. The pool also comprises Al Gharafa, Al Rayyan and Al Shamal.
- Group “A” contains league champions Al Sadd alongside Qatar SC, Umm Salal, Al Ahli Doha, Al Wakrah and reigning champions Al Sailiya.
Kenya's Michael Olunga grabbed his second straight hat-trick in the Qatar Stars Cup (Ooredoo Cup) as hosts Al Duhail defeated Al Arabi 3-2 in an entertaining encounter on Monday night.
The Harambee Stars captain gave the Red Knights a 1-0 halftime lead after scoring in the second minute from a tight angle.
Ibrahim Kalla equalized on 52 minutes after getting the better of coach Hernan Crespo's defense.
Olunga then got his brace on 61 minutes capitalizing on a defensive blunder before adding the third goal on 70 minutes after rounding a defender and then unleashing a fierce shot past the goalkeeper.
Al Duhail conceded a late penalty converted by Hamed Ismael, but was not enough to deny Al Duhail the famous victory. It was Olunga's third hat-trick this season in all competitions.
In their opening Ooredoo Cup match on September 21, Olunga netted thrice as Al Duhail thrashed Markhiya 8-3 at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium.
Al Duhail led 4-0 at halftime after scoring through Ahmed Moein, Suhab Gannan, Lotfi Madjer and last season’s league’s top scorer Olunga.
Moen put the 2019 finalists ahead with a powerful shot inside the box with his left foot from a tight angle on eight minutes.
Suhab doubled the lead with an easy finish after completing a sublime pass from Madjer inside the box from a through ball on 14 minutes. Madjer got onto the scoresheet in the 19th minute with a backheel from an Olunga assist.
Olunga then nodded in the fourth goal just before the break. Markhiya pulled a goal back early in the second half through a Yousef Ramadan header before Olunga grabbed his second from a tap-in past goalkeeper Mahmood Gamal Mohamed.
Harambee Stars captain Olunga got his hat-trick on 79 minutes. Muhammad Al-Hassan reduced the deficit on 81 minutes before Ahmed Ibrahim gifted Al Duhail an own goal second later.
Rabah Bousafi made it 8-2 as Fareed Ahmed wrapped up the scoring for Markhiya on 90 minutes for 8-3 at the final whistle.
Al Duhail now leads Group “B” with six points. The pool also comprises Al Gharafa, Al Rayyan and Al Shamal.
Group “A” contains league champions Al Sadd alongside Qatar SC, Umm Salal, Al Ahli Doha, Al Wakrah and reigning champions Al Sailiya.
