Michael Olunga hits goal 22 of the season as Kashiwa Reysol fall 3-2 to Shonan Bellmare

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga celebrates scoring the equaliser for Kashiwa Reysol against Shonan Bellamre [Picture: Japanese J-League - Twitter]

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga took his goal tally to 22 for the season as Kashiwa Reysol went down fighting 3-2 to Shonan Bellmare in the J-League on Sunday, October 18.

The home side took the lead early through Takuya Okamoto before Olunga levelled matters 20 minutes later.

Reysol went ahead after Yuta Kamiya found the back of the net three minutes after the hour mark before Temma Masuda equalised for Bellmare with 12 minutes left.

Bellmare found their winner in the 81^st minute after Nacki Ishawa fired in past Reysol Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

Not the result we wanted today, but we learn from this experience.
Thank you for the support .Focus on the next game.????????
+1goal ?? pic.twitter.com/211Pfblax5

— MICHAEL OLUNGA (@OgadaOlunga) October 18, 2020

Reysol remain eighth with 37 points after 27 matches played.

GOAAAAAALLLL!!! The Engineer is back at it AGAIN! @OgadaOlunga levels the match at 1-1 for @REYSOL_Official, scoring his 22nd goal of the season in the 22nd minute! ??????????????????

© J.LEAGUE - All Rights Reserved pic.twitter.com/3pUoIKbW8f — J.LEAGUE Official EN (@J_League_En) October 18, 2020

Olunga finally got his handle verified on Twitter following pressure by Kenyans On Twitter (KOT) through a campaign dubbed #VerifyOlunga.

The Harambee Stars and Kashiwa Reysol striker has been in red-hot form in the J-League this season, scoring an impressive 22 goals.

Olunga had previously pleaded with Twitter to verify him, an issue which, to fans, seemed to take too long.

Olunga's Twitter handle now has the blue-badge [COURTESY]

Olunga is among the most-followed Kenyan sportsmen on social media, averaging over 540,000 followers on Facebook and over 61,000 on Twitter.

The 26-year-old currently tops the J-League scoring chart, having scored braces in Kashiwa Reysol’s 3-0 and 4-3 demolitions of Yokohama FC and Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe respectively.

He was named the Meiji Yasuda Konami August 2020 Most-Valuable-Player after his goals helped propel Kashiwa Reysol to fifth on the J-League log. In the month of August alone, he scored six goals in six appearances.

“It’s humbling to be named the Meiji Yasuda Konami August 2020 MVP. Firstly to thank God for His unending grace. Secondly, My teammates, coaching staff, subordinate staff, and fans for their support. Thanks, and to many more Folded hands. Inshallah. GOD ABOVE ALL.”