Johana grabs maiden hat-trick in Thailand as Maina victorious in Bundesliga

Kenyan international Eric Johana bagged his maiden hat-trick for Muangthong United in a 4-4 eight-goal thriller while Linton Maina was victorious with FC Koln in the Bundesliga.

Eric Johana

The former Mathare United midfielder notched his second hat-trick since turning pro back in 2018 to help Muangthong United earn a point after a thrilling 4-4 draw against Burirum United.

With the kick off whistle still sounding across the Thunderdome Stadium in Nonthaburi, Johana wasted no time in putting Muangthong ahead in the second minute.

The blistering start continued for Muangthong as they doubled their lead 10 minutes later through Poramet Arjvirai as Johana put them in a commanding lead in the 31st minute.

Buriram pulled one back in the 37th minute through Suphanat Mueanta to ease head coach Masatada Ishii’s half time team talk.

Muangthong had a mirror start to the second half as they took just two minutes to restore their three goal cushion though that man again Eric Johana who completed his hat-trick.

Buriram however rallied back courtesy of a brace from Lonsana Doumbouya that included a 93rd minute equalizer which was sandwiched by a goal from Theeraton Bunmathan in the 83rd minute.

Linton Maina

The Kenyan midfielder was trusted with a start as his FC Koln side thumped Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the German Bundesliga to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.

The first half of the encounter was drab with yellow cards being flashed to Koln’s Eric Martel and Frankfurt’s Buta with those being the only highlights of the opening half.

Koln however came out of the second half firing from all cylinders and took just four minutes to open the scoring through Timo Hubers after Florian Kainz put the ball on a plate for him.

With Frankfurt pushing for an equalizer, Koln hit on the counter and doubled their lead through Tunisian international Ellyes Skhiri in the 71st minute.

Maina was withdrawn with 10 minutes left on the clock and on his place came Kingsley Schindler as head coach Steffen Baumgart aimed to protect his lead.

Skhiri completed his brace in the 86th minute to seal the emphatic victory for Koln as they continue with their aim of a top half finish.