Timbe breaks 19-month goal drought in style

Kenyan international Ayub Timbe opened his goal account in style after bagging a brace for Vissel Kobe in the 0-3 win over Tokushima Vortis in the Japanese League Cup.

The goal comes 19-months after he last scored for Beijing Chengfeng in the 2-2 draw against Tianjin Tianhai in the Chinese Super League back in October 2019.

Timbe was handed a start after impressing off the bench in the 1-1 stalemate against Cerezo Osaka in the J1 League on Saturday, providing an assist to Thomas Vermaelen’s 96th-minute equalizer.

Tokushima Vortis had a nightmare start as they went behind in the second minute courtesy of a goal from Hotaru Yamaguchi for his third goal this season.

Kobe went into the halftime break leading 1-0 after spurning a number of opportunities to double their advantage in the opening half.

Timbe bagged his maiden goal for Kobe seven minutes after the restart continuing with his impressive form that saw him assist a goal last time out.

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was introduced in the 66th minute for Tatsunori Sakurai with new signing Douglas coming on from his compatriot Lincon.

Just like in the last game against Cerezo, Timbe came up with the goods in stoppage time as he completed his brace and assured three vital points for Kobe to ease their progression to the knockout stages of the competition.

Ismael Dunga

Kenyan forward Ismael Dunga started for Sagan Tosu in the 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Avispa Fukuoka in the Japanese JLeague Cup.

Hisashi Jogo opened the scoring for Avispa in the eight-minute and doubled his tally in the 56th minute with Dunga picking up a yellow card six minutes after the restart.

Daisuke Ishizu scored the third for Avispa at the stroke of the hour mark with Dunga being rested for Daichi Hayashi.

Juanma drilled the final nail in Tosu's coffin in the 72nd minute, while Hayashi scored the consolation goal for Tosu two minutes later.