Mumbai: Kenya played an attacking brand of football to register a come-from-behind victory as they outclassed a superior New Zealand 2-1 in an Inter-Continental Cup match, here on Saturday. While Sarpreet Singh (42nd minute) put the 'All Whites' into lead, Miheso Cliffton (45 + 1 minutes) equalised for the African nation. In the second half, Ovella Ochieng (68th minute) scored the winner at the Mumbai Football Areana. While New Zealand used 4-4-2 formation, Kenya had an extra man in the attacking third. Sarpreet broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a curling left-footer, which dipped into the far right-corner. But, Kenya came back strongly in the additional time of the first half, as Cliffton's swerving free-kick restored parity. Kenya had earned the free-kick after Kiwi mid-fielder Matthew Rindenton had brought down John Makwata. In the 68th minute, Patilah Omoto snatched a ball from the opposition player and kept a defence splitting through pass for Ochieng, who slotted it home to give his team the decisive lead. New Zealand tried hard for an equaliser but it was of no avail. Kenya now take on hosts India on Monday, where all eyes will be on India skipper Sunil Chhetri, who will appear in his 100th international game.<doc-sep>Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne hails local staff after New Zealand win Harambee Stars found the net twice to get the better of All Whites in their opening fixture of the Four-Nation competition Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne has applauded the team’s technical bench after they edged past New Zealand 2-1 in the opening match of a Four-Nation tournament in India. The Frenchman arrived late for the match, after he was forced to travel late following a hitch in processing his travel documents. However, Migne says, he was confident that the team will pull a win despite his late arrival in India. “I landed at 4am in the morning (Saturday) and wasn't a part of the training session. I had full confidence in local staff and I had full respect for them as they prepared the team. This wasn't a problem for me. It's only about the players.” Migne, who was overseeing his third match since taking over to handle the team added, “We are very happy to win; it was a fantastic opportunity for my players to discover a new continent and opposition. It was difficult for us to find good balance in the team because of the unavailability of players. Article continues below “We were lucky to score in second half. The attitude was better. This will help the confidence of our players; this will help Kenya return on football map. I'm happy for my players, I'm not here since a long time and I'm glad with the local coach who started the camp in India.” Fritz Schmid’s side scored early in the match through Sarpreet Singh (42’) but strikes from Miheso Cliffton (45+1’) and Ovella Ochieng (68’) bettered the All Whites’ lead. Kenya will next face India on Monday (June 4) in their second tie in Mumbai.<doc-sep>Musa Mohammed starts as Harambee Stars name team to face New Zealand Pistone Mutamba will lead the line alongside Buildcon FC striker John Mark Makwatta Eric Ouma has been named in Harambee Stars’ starting line-up to face New Zealand in the Hero Intercontinental Cup. The left-back will partner his former teammate at KF Tirana Musa Mohammed and Jockins Atudo in defence, with AFC Leopards defender Mike Kibwage also expected to make an appearance. Newly signed Sofapaka striker Pistone Mutamba, who was on target in Kenya’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea on Monday, will lead the line alongside Buildcon FC striker John Mark Makwatta. Article continues below Kenya XI: Patrick Matasi (GK), Musa Mohammed, Mike Kibwage, Jockins Atudo, Eric Ouma, Duncan Otieno, Patilah Omotto, Cliffton Miheso, Ovella Ochieng, Pistone Mutamba and John Mark Makwatta. Reserve: Timothy Odhiambo (GK), Bolton Omwenga, Bernard Ochieng, Johnstone Omurwa, Dennis Odhiambo, Vincent Wasambo, Chrispin Oduor, Kenneth Muguna and Timothy Otieno.<doc-sep>The Harambee Stars gaffer relished the challenge against India after beating the All Whites in their opener Kenya successfully came from behind to defeat New Zealand 2-1 in their first game of the 2018 Intercontinental Cup at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday evening. Sarpreet Singh scored a 42nd minute opener for the team from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) but the African side drew parity through Miheso Cliffton's (45+1’) inch-perfect free-kick before Ovella Ochieng bagged a 68th-minute winner. Disappointed with the manner of loss, New Zealand coach Fritz Schmid said, "What Kenya did to deserve the win was that they took our offer to score in certain crucial moments of the game. We took the early lead, and had good grip and possession along with scoring opportunities to even close the game in the first half." "Looking at the age of the team, we need these lessons. Even if you haven't scored, you can get your shape get back with the lead in the second half. We struggled in the latter half in physicality and that's another point we have to look at. Big amount of the team plays in the off-season, some of them are inactive and that's where we lagged," he reasoned. Sebastien Migne, the Kenya coach, on the other hand, was content with the display from his side despite the absence of several first-team players. "We're happy to win; it was a fantastic opportunity for my players to discover a new continent and opposition. It was difficult for us to find a good balance in the team because of the unavailability of players," he mentioned. The Frenchman conceded that his boys will have it tough against India on June 4, a day before New Zealand's game against Chinese Taipei who were beaten 5-0 by the host nation on Friday. "We have a difficult game against India. We have only two days to recover but we will try to put on a good attitude. When you have only two days to recover but we don't have a choice, hence the challenge against India will be good. We know it will be difficult, but with a good attitude, everything is possible. "I know India has quality and have qualified for [the 2019 AFC (Asian Football Confederation)] Asian Cup, I follow them closely. Sunil Chhetri can be interesting for the future and has good quality. He has something interesting. Kenya will try to be a good opponent," the former Republic of Congo coach signed off.<doc-sep>
Harambee Stars found the net twice to get the better of All Whites in their opening fixture of the Four-Nation competition Kenya kick-started the 2018 Intercontinental Cup with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over New Zealand at the Mumbai Football Arena on a rainy Saturday evening. Fritz Schmid’s side scored early in the match through Sarpreet Singh (42’) but strikes from Miheso Cliffton (45+1’) and Ovella Ochieng (68’) bettered the All Whites ’ lead. Led by Thomas Doyle, the All Whites squad saw 26-year-old Nikko Boxall being handed his national team debut by coach Fritz Schmid. As for Kenya, Musa Mohammed captained the Harambee Stars as Pistone Mutamba, who found the net in Kenya’s friendly against Equatorial Guinea, led the attack. New Zealand had the better control of the proceedings right from the beginning as their attack posed trouble for the Kenyan defence. In the 17th minute, All Whites midfielder Alex Rufer had an opportunity to get his side on the lead after he found space at the edge of the box but the 21-year-old midfielder's attempt flew over the goal. Kenya, on the other hand, tried to build up play from the left flank. In the 37th minute, Ovella Ochieng sent the ball forward for Erick Ouma; the latter took a shot from the left-side but it hit the crossbar and went out of play. In the 42nd minute, New Zealand drew the first blood through Sarpreet Singh’s strike. From the right-side of the box, Rufer passed the ball for Singh whose left-footed long-range shot sailed into the net. However, Kenya equalled the score in the dying minutes of the first half through Miheso Cliffton’s inch-perfect free-kick. Cliffton hit the top right corner to bring the Harambee Stars back into the game. Kenya came out all guns blazing in the second half as they kept the All Whites ’ defence on the edge. Around the hour mark, right-back Jockins Atudo whipped in a cross across the face of the goal but John Makwata failed to get to the end of it. However, New Zealand defender Justin Gulley’s clearance went haywire and nearly hit his own net. In the 68th minute, Kenya scored their second goal to complete the comeback. On the counter, Kenya’s Patilah Omoto picked out the run of Ochieng in behind the defence; custodian Crocombe came off his line to avert the danger but Ochieng slotted the ball past him. Article continues below The Kiwis failed to recover from the deficit as they bowed down to the Kenyan squad which walked off the pitch with three points at the final whistle. Kenya will next face India on Monday (June 4) in their second tie of the tournament in Mumbai. Kenya XI: Patrick Matasi (GK), Musa Mohammed, Mike Kibwage, Jockins Atudo, Eric Ouma, Duncan Otieno, Patilah Omotto, Cliffton Miheso, Ovella Ochieng, Pistone Mutamba and John Mark Makwatta. Reserve: Timothy Odhiambo (GK), Bolton Omwenga, Bernard Ochieng, Johnstone Omurwa, Dennis Odhiambo, Vincent Wasambo, Chrispin Oduor, Kenneth Muguna and Timothy Otieno.