International friendly match: Slovakia 1-3 Uganda Cranes
Uganda Cranes has posted one of the most memorable result, defeating Slovakia 3-1 during an international friendly match played at the Armed Forces Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.
For a country seated in the 25th position on the current FIFA rankings, 46 places above Uganda, Slovakia proved and provided the expected class with great build up and jealousy ball possession but lost the final battle.
Winger Moses Oloya opened the scoring as early as the 5th minute, finishing off Faruku Miya’s assist to ignite excitement among the handful of noisy fans who attended the flood-lit game.
Miya made it two on the quarter hour mark as the East African country, recently voted by CAF as the team of the year (2016) went to the mandatory half time recess with a 2-0 lead.
Miya finished off a quick counter attack orchestrated by Oloya who released Luwagga on the left but he laid the ball in Miya’s path for the simplest of tap-ins.
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and striker Muhammed Shaban were the two players booked in the opening half.
As the second half returned, both countries called for changes. Team captain Geofrey Massa replaced the opening goal hero Moses Oloya and defender Murushid Jjuuko came in for Mawanda in Uganda’s opening double change.
Martin Šulek replaced Juraj Kotula before Michal Sulla paved way for Adam Jakubech.
Zilina football club defender, Denis Vavro pulled a goal back 10 minutes after the break.
Uganda called for more changes on the hour mark when midfielder Khalid Aucho came for Shaban, Yunus Sentamu took Faruku Miya’s place and Denis Iguma provided the cover for Nicholas Wadada at right back.
Massa nodded home past a poorly stationed goalie Michal Sulla off Joseph Ochaya’s delivery to seal the famous victory.
The final change for Uganda arrived eight minutes to full time as Godfrey Walusimbi took William Luwagga Kizito’s slot at left attack.
A bulk of Slovakia players fielded were U-21 graduates skippered by MSK Zilina winger Filip Hlohovskya
Another common figure for coach Jan Kozak’s led team was defender Tomas Malec who turns out for Norwegian top flight side, Lillestrøm SK.
Uganda Cranes will wind up business in Dubai with another international friendly against the reigning African champions Cote D’ Ivoire on Wednesday, 11th January 2017 at the New York University play ground.
Team Line Ups:
Slovakia XI: Michal Sulla (G.K), Denis Vavro, Filip Orsula, Martin Bukata, Thomas Malec, Roman Gergel, Filip Hlohovsky (Captain), Jakub Holubek, Martin Kralik, Michal Skvarka, Juraj Kotula
Changes:
46’ Martin Šulek Replaced Juraj Kotula
46’ Adam Jakubech Replaced Michal Šulla
70’ Miroslav Káčer Replaced Martin Bukata
70’ Tomáš Huk Replaced Roman Gergel
70’ Dávid Guba Replaced Tomáš Malec
85′ Pavol Šafranko Replaced Filip Oršula
Subs Not Used:
Dominik Kruzliak, Jan Krivak, Patrik Misak, Matus Conka, Martin Dubravka
Head Coach: Jan Kozak
Uganda Cranes XI: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Timothy Dennis Awanyi, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Geofrey Kizito, Tonny Mawejje, Moses Oloya, William Luwagga Kizito, Faruku Miya, Muhammed Shaban
Changes:
46’ Geoffrey Massa Replaced Moses Oloya
46’ Murushid Jjuuko Replaced Hassan Wasswa Mawanda
62’ Khalid Aucho Replaced Muhammad Shaban
62′ Yunus Sentamu Replaced Faruku Miya
63’ Denis Iguma Replaced Nicholas Wadada
82’ Godfrey Walusimbi Replaced William Luwagga Kizito
Subs Not Used: Dennis Onyango (G.K), Shafiq Batambuze, Isaac Isinde, Michael Azira, Geofrey Sserunkuma, Salim Jamal (G.K)
Match Officials:
