Ouma helps Elfsborg get one step closer to securing a group-stage place in the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League.
Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma helped Swedish side IF Elfsborg claim a crucial first leg away win over Sherrif Tiraspor on Thursday night with a crucial 1-0 win over the Macedonian side on Thursday night.
Ouma, who has been playing as a deep lying midfielder since fully breaking into the first team this season, played the full 90 minutes, producing three accurate long balls and winning three of his seven duels.
The match began tentatively, with both teams struggling to create scoring opportunities in the opening period. Although Elfsborg's Arber Zeneli initiated a promising attack in the fourth minute, the game remained tightly contested with neither side managing to break through the defenses.
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It wasn't until the 35th minute that IF Elfsborg had their first real goal-scoring opportunity. Arber Zeneli took a free kick from the left side, aiming for the first post, but the ball was cleared to the corner just in front of the goal.
Zeneli had another chance in the 42nd minute, firing a shot from a narrow angle that went into the corner via defenders.
The second half mirrored the first in its tightness, but IF Elfsborg began to assert more control. In the 62nd minute, Simon Hedlund found space on the right in the penalty area and shot, but his effort went wide of the far post.
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Moments later, Besfort Zeneli nearly scored after dribbling into the penalty area and rounding the goalkeeper, but his cross was cleared by the home defenders.
Sheriff Tiraspor had their best chance with a surprising long-range shot, but IF Elfsborg's goalkeeper, Isak Pettersson, tipped the ball into the corner. The match saw numerous breaks and midfield play, but in the 85th minute, Besfort Zeneli was fouled in the penalty area, earning IF Elfsborg a penalty.
Simon Hedlund stepped up to take the penalty and calmly placed the ball into the net, giving IF Elfsborg a crucial 1-0 lead in the 86th minute. Despite late pressure from Sheriff Tiraspor, IF Elfsborg's defense and goalkeeper Pettersson held firm to secure the win.
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