Kenya's Junior Starlets lose 3-1 to Japan in U-17 World Cup last 16 in Rabat

Kenya's Junior Starlets lost 3-1 to Japan in the round of 16 of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup on 29 October, ending their first run into a World Cup knockout stage, FIFA match data shows. The match was played on Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, and kicked off at 18:00 UTC (21:00 in Nairobi). FIFA recorded an attendance of 462.

Kenya had reached the last 16 by beating Samoa 4-0 on 25 October as one of the four best third-placed teams, as Fica News reported on 26 October. They had opened the group with a 3-0 loss to China PR on 19 October and lost 6-1 to the USA on 22 October.

Brenda Achieng, wearing No. 9, put Kenya ahead in the 29th minute; it was the first goal Japan had conceded at the tournament. Mei Hanashiro (No. 14) levelled for Japan in the 36th minute, and the sides went in at 1-1.

Nanami Kurita (No. 20) made it 2-1 in the 59th minute. Asuka Tanaka (No. 11), who came on as a substitute in the 64th minute, scored Japan's third in the 75th.

A blog run by the betting company SportPesa Kenya reported that Hanashiro scored after a long-range shot by a Japan team-mate deflected to her, and that Kurita scored from a loose ball after a corner. It also reported that the Junior Starlets were the first Kenyan national team to reach a World Cup knockout stage.

Head coach Mildred Cheche said, as quoted by the blog: "I'm really proud of my team today." She said the goal against Japan "shows our talent, our resilience, and what we are capable of."

Kenya made two changes in the 80th minute: Emilly Mbuya replaced Lindey Atieno and Tabitha Wambui replaced Gaudancia Maloba. Paula Fernandez of Colombia was the referee.

Japan play Ghana in the quarter-finals on 1 November at 15:00 UTC (18:00 in Nairobi) on Pitch 1 of the same complex. Ghana reached the quarter-finals on 28 October, beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

China PR, who beat Kenya 3-0 in the group stage, drew 0-0 with France in their round of 16 match on 29 October and won 4-3 on penalties. They meet Brazil in the quarter-finals on 1 November at 18:00 UTC (21:00 in Nairobi).