Tragedy in Tehran as Harambee Stars capitulate against Iran

Kenya’s national football team Harambee Stars nearly pulled off a surprise result away to highly ranked Iran in Tehran on Tuesday night but a late capitulation saw Engin Firat’s charges blow away their lead to lose 2-1.

A brilliant Michael Olunga goal, a horribly poor defensive line that allowed Iran’s equalizer and a high profile Patrick Matasi howler perfectly define the tragedy in Tehran.

Kenya, ranked 101st, survived a penalty scare in the 2nd minute when Joseph Okumu appeared to have hauled to the ground Ahmed Jahanbakhsh after Amos Nondi was left for dead with a hurriedly taken throw.

Okumu’s intervention only yielded a corner for the home side which was defended for another throw on the other flank. Again, the Iranians staged a quick throw before Eric “Marcelo’ Ouma was flatly beaten by a clever through ball which sent danger man Mehdi Taremi through on goal.

Fast approaching Kenyan legs forced the Iranian star to drill a shot cross which Patrick Matasi did well to save with a full stretch dive. Matasi again stretched high to palm from danger a corner with three opposition players lurking with intent.

After riding out the opening skirmishes Harambee Stars ventured into Iranian half with a potential counter attack which discouragingly died after Masud Juma’s horrible attempt at putting skipper Micjael Olunga through on goal.

His pass tamely went to a grateful Iranian defender when Olunga would have been clear on goal. The attack had been started off by Matasi who launched a teasing long throw to unmarked Juma on the left wing.

Kenya’s next best chance was killed by Olunga who selfishly chose to shoot rather than passing to three compatriots in a promising four-versus-three attack following a break by Harambee Stars. Olunga’s attempt horribly flew high and wide of goal.

A snaking run into the box later in the opening half resulted in a mild attempt as the striker desperately prodded the ball goal wards while out of balance.   

The hosts opened the second half with as much zeal as they had the first; a barrage of attacks but it was Harambee Stars who found the back of the net. Against the run of play, a clearance fortuitously close to Olunga and he tassled with his minder A. Sohrabian, brushing him off the ball before dribbling towards Iranian goal.

He expertly put another defender back peddling the precisely shot low into the far corner of the goal beat beating the keeper for Kenya’s first international goal in sixteen months. Iran were stunned. They sought quick response but a resolute and sometimes desperate defending kept Harambee Stars in the lead.

Stars maintained the lead until 77th minute when Iran attained parity with a sublime header from point blank range that caught Matasi out of position. Marcelo had given away a free kick 25 yards out and Iran capitalized on loose marking as Mohebi M scored with a free header from Noorafkhan's lofted cross.  

Seven minutes later Matasi wiped out all the good work he did after the ball squirmed past him and into the goal. Kenya had conceded a free kick just outside the box Marcelo and Brian Mandela guilty of several infractions.

The resultant free kick was again poorly marked leaving Rezaeian through with a clean run. His feeble shot seemed to have been dealt with by Matasi only for the ball to escape his grasp and spill into the net for Iran's winning goal.

Glee for the hosts. Tragedy for Kenya!