Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga cannot wait for the new season to start after another positive outing for Al Duhail in pre-season.
Olunga started Al Duhail’s clash against Austrian second-division side SC Imst, which the Qatar champions won 2-1, and while he was not on target, he made a positive contribution.
Al Duhail’s goals were both scored by Al Moez Ali, the first coming from the penalty spot after 14 minutes, before he made it 2-0 in the 29th minute. Olunga’s movement in the box was key to his side’s second goal as he created space for Ali to move in before firing home on his left foot.
The result left Olunga in positive spirits as he counts down to the start of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) which they begin their 2023-24 campaign with an away clash to Al Ahli Doha on Friday 18 August.
“Starting August positively. More minutes in the tank. Almost time,” Olunga said after the match.
Olunga has been in fine form in pre-season as he has scored in each of their two pre-season matches before Tuesday’s encounter.
He opened the scoring for Al Duhail in their 3-2 victory over Lusail City FC in a friendly match before they left for pre-season camp to Austria and scored a brace when they thrashed Austria Heiming 6-0 last Wednesday.
His form should delight coach Hernan Crespo who will be depending on him again this season as his side bid to retain their league title and push further in the Asian Champions League after reaching the semi-final in 2022-23.
Olunga had an impressive 2022-23 season, winning back-to-back Golden Boot awards, after bagging 22 goals while claiming his first Qatar Stars League title.
The striker was also the top scorer in the Ooredoo Cup with 10 goals, when Al-Duhail lifted the trophy, as well as the Qatar Cup, ending the season with 40 goals from 38 games in all competitions.
