Visiting Italians make mincemeat of Gor Youth

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Amos Honda of Gor Mahia (left) and Italy’s Barzagi Riccardo. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO / STANDARD]

Visiting Italian youth side overwhelmed Gor Mahia youth side  3-1 in their second international friendly match played at Safaricom Kasarani Sports Centre, yesterday.

The visitors were the first to show intent as early as the fifth minute when Cicerello Andrea  was denied by Gor goalkeeper Vincent  Odhiambo, resulting in the first corner of the match.

But a determined Gor side replied one minute later with equal intent to get something early from the match. Emmanuel Olinga was stopped by Beleve Marco in the Italian goal.

But it was Cornell Owinyo who should have put the home side ahead after that miss. After combining well with Olinga, he shot timidly at the Italian goal and his effort was thwarted by  Marco in goal.

The home side looked timid and exhibited poor defending. Their opponents, on the other hand, were slick on free kicks.

One such moment of poor defending in the 11th minute allowed Nardi Mattia to put the visitors ahead as he sneaked between Gor defenders  to put the ball beyond Odhiambo in goal.

Cliff Nyakeo should have leveled for Gor after going down. He pulled out Marcio from his line, but somehow failed to finish off his effort.

Gor upped the pressure and Marco was called to deny Cornel Owinyo and this resulted in the first corner for the hosts. The Italians finished the first half on a high after Tomanin Thomas was denied by Vincent Odhiambo in Gor goal.

Gor Mahia made an early substitution as the second half kicked off resting Cornell Owinyo for Nelson Mandela. It was Amos Nondi who had the first shot at the Italian goal five minutes after the restart.

It was a motivating move for the hosts who kept up the pressure and looked like they could score.

But all their hopes were dashed when Zottino Franseco netted a double within five minutes. His first was on the hour mark and another one in the 65th minute put Gor Mahia in real trouble.

The home-side got their consolation goal in the 75th minute through second half substitute Nelson Mandela but it was too late to make any difference.