From Maspalomas to the Bernabéu, Job Ochieng impresses | OneFootball

Job Ochieng made his mark at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Kenyan left winger delivering a composed, energetic display that suggested he could help Real Sociedad.

According to Diario Vasco, he arrived from Maspalomas to Zubieta five years ago. Matarazzo picked him with Gonçalo Guedes short of full fitness, then replaced him in the 65th minute.

He was the first academy player Matarazzo debuted, against Elche in February for 26 minutes. His first start came on the final day at Espanyol, and after pre-season this was his second.

The stage did not cow him. He pressed Denzel Dumfries early, with Ochieng and Take Kubo often ahead of Mikel Oyarzabal and Luka Sucic. His movement freed Sergio Gómez, whose left-footed volley from the channel skimmed past Thibaut Courtois’s far post.

Much of the first half ran down his flank, with Kubo drifting over to combine. Madrid then penned Real Sociedad back, and Ochieng’s runs showed he is better found in space than to feet.

Only after conceding did Real Sociedad start playing him in behind. Released at last, he beat Konaté to the ball, rode the contact and kept it. Initially hesitant, he shot and the rebound fell for Sucic to level.

It felt a pity he was not targeted more often, because his pace and timing threatened whenever there were metres to attack. Despite the scoreline, he left reminders that he can contribute to the first team.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”