Rangers star continues form on international duty as 'spectacular finish' marks first goal for country
Goal wasn’t enough to save his side from defeat as match ended in VAR drama
Rangers striker Kevin Kelsy got off the mark for Venezuela with a ‘spectacular finish’ - but was unable to save his side from defeat in their friendly against Japan.
On his seventh cap for his country at the Hiroshima Soccer Stadium, the Ibrox new boy was the final part of a well-worked move from the visitors. However, the hosts overturned the deficit via a double from substitute striker Ayase Ueda to win 2-1.
The second goal of which came in dramatic fashion as Venezuela were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute - but after VAR intervened, the penalty was instead awarded to Japan. By this point Kelsy had been substituted off, although the manner of the result may somewhat overshadow his first goal for his country - only two weeks after he also got off the mark for Rangers in their 1-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Celtic.
Kelsy mark first international goal with ‘spectacular finish’
As Venezuela counter-attacked in the 46th minute, wing back Luis Balbo drove up with the ball down the left hand side before finding Kelsy with a low cross just outside the box. The £9.5m man then struck with his stronger left foot. His low driven finish - described their social media as ‘spectacular’ - then beat helpless Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki between the Japan sticks. La Vintotinto wrote of X: “A brilliant play by Luis Balbo that created a great chance for the spectacular finish by Kevin Kelsy charging into the box!”
The visitors lead was short lived as Ueda equalised within three minutes of Kelsy’s opener. As the match entered the dying minutes a draw looked inevitable, however Kelsy’s side thought they had a chance to win it in stoppage time when referee Tim Danaskos awarded them a penalty. After a VAR review on the monitor, not only did the referee chalk off the spot kick for La Vintotinto - but he instead awarded Japan a penalty for an earlier foul in the box from Venezuela midfielder Yangel Herrera. Ueda stepped up to double his tally for the match and win it for Japan.
Derek McInnes on Kelsy
The striker was a late deadline day addition for the Light Blues from MLS side Portland Timbers. With strikers Youssef Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland out long-term, Kelsy has been thrown in at the deep end in a royal blue jersey but so far has adapted well. After his goal against Celtic in the cup on September 13, manager Derek McInnes said he was ‘delighted’ for him.
He said post-match: “It was a brilliant finish for Kevin; I am delighted for him. I think you saw the strength of the club today; it was a beautiful sight seeing Ibrox the way it was. The fans played their part, the team played their part, and we look forward now to a semi-final when it comes round.”
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