Kenya Falls To Iran In International-Friendly Match
By Samuel Ouma
Iran rallied from Behind and scored two late goals to defeat Kenya 2-1 in an international friendly match played in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday night.
It was Kenya’s first match since FIFA’s 2021 ban was lifted in 2022. The East African country last played international football on November 15, 2021, when they defeated Rwanda 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Kenyan forward and skipper Michael Olunga put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute, but howlers by goalkeeper Patrick Matasi allowed Mohammad Mohebi and Ramin Rezaeian to score twice in the final 15 minutes.
Iran earned a foul on the edge of the box in the 76th minute, and Mohammad Mohebi headed past a position-less Matasi, who had left half his goal uncovered and was taken off guard by the set piece that tied the game at 1-1.
Matasi was at fault again six minutes later when he failed to cope with a Ramin Rezaeian cross and turned it into his own net.
Iran is using this international break to train for the 2023 Asian Cup, which will be held next year.
