Omondi featured for 90 minutes but could not help UTA get a win against Hermannstadt.
Harambee Stars winger Eric Johana Omondi featured for 90 minutes but could not help UTA Arad avoid defeat to Hermannstadt in a Romanian Division one relegation playoff encounter on Friday afternoon.
Omondi, who was sent away from the last Harambee Stars camp, held his own but ultimately could not get his creative juices flowing as UTA struggled to get enough goals to win the match.
Both teams displayed their attacking intent from the start. However, it was Hermannstadt who drew first blood in the 20th minute when Daniel Paraschiv capitalized on a penalty, slotting the ball past the UTA Arad goalkeeper, Gabi Ianuc.
Hermannstadt extended their lead in the 46th minute when Daniel Paraschiv pounced on a defensive error and coolly finished past the UTA Arad goalkeeper, making it 2-0 in favor of the home side. Just three minutes later, Paraschiv completed his hat trick with another clinical finish, putting Hermannstadt firmly in control of the match.
UTA Arad, however, refused to go down without a fight, as they pulled one back in the 63rd minute through Micovschi Claudiu, who capitalized on a well-constructed attacking move. Despite the setback, Hermannstadt’s defense held firm, denying UTA Arad any further clear-cut opportunities.
As the game entered its final stages, UTA Arad was awarded a free kick in a promising position in the 65th minute. Eric Omondi stepped up to take the set-piece but was denied by an outstanding save from Hermannstadt goalkeeper Cătălin Căbuz, who tipped the ball over the crossbar to maintain his team’s two-goal advantage.
In the end, Hermannstadt emerged victorious with a commanding 3-1 win over UTA Arad, courtesy of Daniel Paraschiv’s clinical hat-trick, securing three valuable points in their quest for success in the league.
