Kenyan football international Michael Olunga bagged a hat-trick on Sunday, July 26, for Kashiwa Reysol as they thumped Vegalta Sendai 5-1 in the Japanese J1 League.
Olunga's three goals solidifies his stake in the golden boot race as he has now amassed eight goals in the seven games played so far this season.
The former Gor Mahia forward could have further added to his tally against Sendai but unfortunately missed a penalty that he won after the goalkeeper brought him down when he tried to round him in the 59th minute.
He stepped up to take the penalty a minute later but goalkeeper Yuma Obata parried his strike with his defenders clearing the line.
Reysol mounted a strong start in the game and only needed 20 minutes to open the scoring as Hayato Nakama slotted in the ball past the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Olunga grabbed his first of the game, five minutes before halftime as he rose high to head in Yusuke Segawa's cross with headers becoming his trademark, maximizing his aerial advantage.
Sendai regrouped after the half time break and halved Resyol's advantage three minutes after the resumption when Takuma Nishimura scored from close range.
Olunga turned Kyohei Yoshino inside out before calmly slotting the ball for Reysol's third and his second of the game in the 58th minute.
The Kenyan forward made amends for his missed penalty 13 minutes later when his brilliant first touch allowed him to seal his hat-trick.
Segawa drilled the final nail in Sendai's coffin four minutes from time to ensure their third win in a row following a rocky patch of form that saw them lose three consecutive games.
Olunga has had a potent week scoring four goals after his strike against Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday, July 23, and has now scored six goals in the last three games.
The 26-year-old will hope to continue his rich vein of form when Reysol face Nagoya Grampus on Saturday, August 1.
With the win, Reysol move to seventh on the league standings with 12 points from seven games.
