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The Harambee Stars midfielder opened his account for his new side as he nodded home after eight minutes in what was his first start for Aalborg
Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada scored his first goal for Aalborg as they claimed a 3-1 victory against Kolding IF in the Danish second division on Sunday.
In what was his first start for his new club, the Kenyan was deployed in a two-man midfield as coach Oscar Hiljemark went with a 3-4-3 formation and he seems to have benefited as he was afforded more time and space which he utilised well.
Odada made his presence felt when he scored the game’s opening goal, striking home after just eight minutes, to set the tone for Aalborg’s win.
With the scores remaining 1-0 at halftime, Aalborg extended their lead in the second half with Nicklas Helenius and Younes Bakiz scoring penalties for the home side in the space of three minutes for a 3-1 lead after 51 minutes.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men when Jacob Vetter was sent off but Aalborg kept asking the questions.
Odada was key in his side maintaining their big advantage before he was taken off in the 74th minute for Mads Bomholt.
Five minutes later, Kolding pulled one back through Asker Beck but it was too little too late as Aalborg claimed all three points, sending them top of the standings with 20 points from eight games, after six wins and two draws.
The goal is a big boost for Odada who will make it difficult for Hiljemark to leave him out of the starting XI after the international break.
Odada, who joined Aalborg from MLS side Philadelphia Union on a season-long loan last month, had featured as a second half substitute in his side’s last two games against Hobro and Hillerod.
His display will also delight Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat who included him in his squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Qatar and South Sudan.
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