Kenyan international Joseph Okumu featured for 63 minutes as his club Stade de Reims played to a 1-1 stalemate against Jubilo Iwata at Yamaha Stadium on Wednesday.Shunsuke Nishikubo scored for Iwata while Oumar Diakite netted for Reims.It was the second game for Okumu after playing 90 minutes in their second preseason game against Sochaux five days ago.##NAJAVA_MECA_8228740##The match is part of the French club’s tour in Japan, where they are set to play three games, including matches against Shimizu and Machida Z.From the onset, Reims took control, exerting pressure on their hosts but were unlucky not to score in the opening half.Both sides managed to withstand the first half’s intensity, leading to a barren draw at halftime.Reims started the second half with two substitutions, which sparked some life into the visitors.Shabana land ex AFC Leopards goalkeeperIwata responded ten minutes later with five changes, which Reims answered back with seven fresh players with 60 minutes on the clock.Okumu made way for youngster Martin Adeline as part of the changes.With Reims’ backline now manned by junior players, Iwata took advantage of the changes and soon took the lead through Nishikubo in the 67th minute.With more changes from the Japanese side, Iwata’s defense looked more solid and compact, with the goalkeeper remaining largely untested thanks to the disciplined defense.Former Kenyan international charged with murder of minorThe drama continued until the final moments when Diakite scored to grab a point for Reims.Reims will next take to the field on Saturday against Shimizu and will finalize their Japan tour next week with a clash against Machida.
