Cordoba CF blows away SportPesa All Star team

[Photo: Courtesy]

Cordoba CF underlined the gulf in quality as they crushed SportPesa Premier League All Star team 4-0 at Estadio Antequera in Malaga, Spain on Wednesday.

Jonathan Meija opened the floodgates with a glancing header before a pair of penalties from Sergi Guardiola and Alejandro Alfaro sandwiched Albert Quiles’ goal for the rout of the touring Kenyan Premier League select side.

[Photo: Courtesy]

AFC Leopards young striker Vincent Oburu’s turn and shoot effort in the 24th minute which goalkeeper Mark Vito tipped over the bar would be the only attempt of note in the entire.

[Photo: Courtesy]

The home side began brightly stringing together passes as the Kenyans bid their time. Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch raced off his line in the ninth minute to smother a dangerous lose ball.

Kenyan coach Stanley Okumbi started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with AFC Leopards young striker Vincent Oburu being the target man.

Musa Mohamed led the back line of Simon Mbugua, Robinson Kamura and Wesley Onguso with Patilah Omoto and Victor Majid protecting the defence.

Although the Kenyans resisted the Spanish inquisition early on, Cordoba's lead arrived when the SportPesa Premier League side were pulled out of their defensive shape letting in a cross from the left which Meija glanced sideways to beat Oluoch.

Cordoba CF stepped on the gas pedal in the second half blowing away their visitors with three goals-two of them coming via penalties.

Playing a high press game which Okumbi’s boys could not stem, Cordoba’s quality began to tell in 54th minute when a switch in play saw the ball loop on the blind side of Simon Mbugua, who instinctively handled the ball.

Guardiola stepped up to send Oluoch the wrong way.

Alberto Quiles then scored Cordoba’s third goal in a flash in the 67th minute as the Spaniards made the most of Kenya’s static defence.

Alejandro scored Cordoba’s fourth goal from the spot after Musa Mohamed clipped a Cordoba striker inside the box.

Okumbi said Cordoba CF overwhelmed his youngsters with their quick passing and movement.

“We were caught on possession most of the time because Cordoba players were very fast on the ball. Quick thinking and acting,” Okumbi said.

“European teams are always like that and I think we can do well to improve on our speed and decision making,” he said.

Okumbi also feels their match against Seville Atletico on Saturday will be tougher than today’s game.