Teamwork took Al Duhail through to semis, says Olunga

Michael Olunga was the hero with both goals but the Kenyan striker paid tribute to his teammates after Al Duhail SC defeated Al Shabab FC 2-1 to advance to the AFC Champions League semi-finals for the first time at Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday.
After a tight first half which saw both teams exchanging blows, Olunga scored in the 77th and 85th minutes to all but secure Qatar’s Al Duhail their place in the semi-final, with Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab netting a consolation through Saeed al-Rubaei in added time. Olunga, the 2021 AFC Champions League topscorer, was deservingly named player of the match but the striker said it was team effort which took Al Duhail through.
“It was all about the group, we worked collectively to get the win. It feels great to be part of this history. We knew it was going to be a difficult, high tempo game but we – the players, officials and fans – gave it our all,” said Olunga. “It was a game of two halves. They had chances (in the first half) but they didn’t take them. We had chances in the second half and we took them.”
Olunga had been a peripheral figure until his goals, even missing a great opportunity to put Al Duhail ahead in the first half with his header going astray. “In this kind of game, we must be patient with our timings. I wasn’t involved much in the first half and at half time, the coach said I had to do more, get into spaces and I did. We are looking forward to the semi-final. We will work and play as a group and I am sure it is going to be a fantastic game to play.”
Head coach Hernan Crespo praised his team for sticking to the game plan against an Al Shabab side that had only conceded once coming into the quarter-final. “It was a very tough match but we played with the right approach. We controlled the game, created chances. I want to congratulate my team, we have achieved something historical. We have never been in the semi-finals before and I am proud to be part of this historic occasion,” said the Argentine.
A potential sour note for Al Duhail was Edmilson Jr being stretchered off but Crespo wasn’t unduly worried. “He took a knock and we will know more once the medical staff have assessed him. However, our strength is the group, everybody deserves to be part of these kind of matches. If Edmilson can’t play, we have replacements who will be ready.”