The Kenyan defender left Harambee Stars camp early to link up with his Portuguese club for Friday's match but he ended up on the losing side
Harambee Stars defender Johnstone Omurwa played just 45 minutes before being subbed off at half time as Estrela Amadora were downed 1-0 by 2021/22 league champions FC Porto on Friday night.
Omurwa, who flew back to Portugal after Kenya's match against Qatar so he could be part of the team to take on Porto, was unusually underwhelming after enjoying a good month of football for his club and country.
He made three clearances, but lost his single ground duel. On the ball, he lost possession seven times and was accurate at 18 of his 24 passes attempted.
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Estrela should have gone ahead in the 21st minute when Ronald received the ball and beat his man from the edge of the box, before attempting a shot that was deflected away for a corner kick.
Medhi Taremi would put the visitors into the lead after receiving an exquisite pass from legendary defender Pepe, before slotting it home with a well-taken low drilled shot into the back of the net.
Goncalo Borges should have made it two after Omurwa failed to intercept Andre Franko’s low drilled cross before it fell on to Borges, who just could not convert it.
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Just before the break, Ronald received the ball and carried it forward from his own half into the opposition box and span Porto’s defenders in the box, before attempting a shot that was saved by Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.
In the 72nd minute, Ronald created yet another opportunity when he ran with the ball down the left flank before setting up Tavares, who headed it just wide.
Just before the end of the match, Estoril squandered another opportunity to equalise when a cross by Kialonda Gaspar caused confusion in the Porto box before landing on Joao Reis, whose attempt was cleared off the line.
Estrela are now 13th on four points, winning just one and drawing one of their five opening league games since getting promoted.
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