WATCH: Ayub Timbe’s assist for Vissel Kobe

Kenyan international Ayub Timbe has hit the ground running at Vissel Kobe as he provided an assist on his first start for the club in the Japanese J1 League.

Timbe was trusted with a starting berth in the 1-1 draw against 2017 league champions Kashima Antlers after making two substitute appearance.

This comes on the backdrop of incessant complaints from Kenyans who labelled the midfielder selfish following off colour games for Harambee Stars against Comoros.

The former Reading FC midfielder picked up the ball from the halfway line before making a 180° turn and threading in a neat through ball to Kyogo Furuhashi who nonchalantly chipped the ball over the keeper in the 28th minute.

Timbe was however withdrawn at the start of the second half and replaced by Yuya Nakasaka with Kobe aiming to extend their lead.

Antlers however came back into the second half guns blazing and drew level in the 64th minute through Ayase Ueda for his third goal of the season.

Neither team could however grab the winner as they both settled for a draw with Kobe registering their third successive league stalemate.

The former Beijing Renhe winger had made two off the bench appearances against Shonan Bellmare and a Cup appearance against Tokushima Vortis.

Ismael Dunga

Still in Japan, Kenyan forward Ismail Dunga missed the matchday squad for Sagan Tosu in the 1-2 win over FC Tokyo.

Noriyoshi Sakai and Yuta Higuchi scored for Tosu in the first half while a second-half goal from Masato Morishige set up a nervy finish.