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Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga started the new campaign brightly as he scored three goals in Al Duhail’s big win against Qatar SC.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga started where he left off last season as he bagged a hat-trick to lead Al Duhail to a 6-1 victory in the Qatar Stars League season opener against Qatar SC on Saturday.
Olunga scored the first of his three goals in the 41st minute before adding the second three minutes later for a 2-0 lead at halftime for the 2022-23 league champions.
Qatar SC pulled one back in the first half, Ben Malango giving them hope in the 64th minute, but Ismail Muhamad ended their hopes quickly when he scored Al Duhail’s third goal five minutes later.
It looked like it would be a 4-1 win for Al Duhail when Mohamad added his brace eight minutes from time but there was more from Christophe Galtier’s men.
Deep in injury time, Olunga added his third to complete the hat-trick and not be left behind, Muhamad would also make it three on the night with a sixth for Al Duhail a minute later.
It was a major statement of intent for Al Duhail who had a poor 2023-24 season that ended with a sixth-place finish and cost coach Hernan Crespo his job midway through the campaign.
Galtier must therefore get it right this season or risk getting his marching orders.
It is a good start for Olunga who has maintained his scoring touch even when his team were not doing well last season.
He won the golden boot award in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and his bright start suggests he is keen to reclaim the top scorer’s gong.
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