Marcelo features but fails to help new club Rakow get one over Mielec

STARS ABROAD Marcelo features but fails to help new club Rakow get one over Mielec

Mark Kinyanjui 17:00 - 25.02.2024

Marcelo came on for the last 11 minutes for his new side as they were held to a 0-0 draw by high flying Mielec

Harambee Stars left back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Otieno came on as a substitute but could not help his new side Raków Częstochowa overcome Stal Mielec in a Polish league clash that took place on Saturday.

Otieno came on for 11 minutes and did not really have enough time to influence the outcome of the match.

He has made three appearances for the Polish giants since signing in January.

The Polish champions aimed to score quickly, launching an attack in the 5th minute. Bartosz Nowak found the net, but Mateusz Kochalski instinctively deflected Łukasz Zwoliński's header from two meters.

Nine minutes later, Nowak had another chance in the penalty area, but his shot was within the goalkeeper's reach. Stal, initially on the defensive, later threatened the Polish champions, requiring vigilance from goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic.

The match intensified just before halftime when Marco Ehmann volleyed from about 18 meters. The goalkeeper's fingertip save pushed the ball for a corner kick. Raków attempted to respond, with some penalty area collisions, but without a major threat.

After halftime, both teams struggled to maintain possession, resulting in few goal-scoring opportunities. After an hour of play, the Polish champions gained an optical advantage when Dawid Drachal received the ball in the penalty area, but his shot was easily parried by Kochalski.

The guests became more active, with Jean Carlos shooting from a tight angle in the 67th minute, saved by Kochalski. Six minutes later, the local goalkeeper thwarted John Yeboah's dangerous long-range shot. In the 75th minute, Ante Crnac scored from near the penalty area line, with the ball deflecting off the defender's leg into the goalkeeper's hands.

Despite their activity, the Polish champions faced challenges in creating opportunities. In the 82nd minute, Nowak scored after a corner kick, but the shot lacked power. 

Dawid Szwarga's team pressed for a win until the end, but ultimately, the match ended goalless, maintaining Stal's undefeated record in 2024. However, Raków failed to narrow the gap to the league podium.

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