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Junior Starlets were pushed to the brink of elimination after a tough loss, struggling to break through North Korea's defense.
Kenya were pushed to the brink of early elimination from the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup on Sunday after a 3-0 defeat to North Korea.
The defeat left bottom-placed Kenya relying on results elsewhere to avoid becoming the first country to bow out after the first round.
Their elimination would be confirmed if Mexico fails to beat England later in the day, which would make Kenya the first nation to exit after two games.
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18:30 - 20.10.2024
Spirited Rising Stars come unstuck as they fall to Tanzania at the final hurdle in CECAFA U-20 AFCON qualifiers
Tanzania bounced back from a goal down to beat Kenya 2-1 to clinch the U-20 CECAFA AFCON qualifying trophy on Sunday afternoon.
Kenya had made a nervous start to the tournament with a 2-0 defeat to England, and they again looked tentative against North Korea.
The East Africans made only one change to the starting lineup, dropping Lindey Atieno to the bench after a shaky performance in the opener.
Her replacement, Velma Awour, did not inspire much confidence in the midfield as Kenya struggled to create opportunities and intercept the opposition's passes in the area.
Korea started brightly and found the back of the net as early as the seventh minute through So Ryu Gyon, who completed a beautiful pass from Ho Kyong to make it 1-0.
Four minutes later, the duo struck again, this time with a beautifully executed strike past Velma Abwire to extend the lead to 2-0.
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17:30 - 20.10.2024
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Junior Starlets hopeful for redemption against North Korea
Junior Starlets will be looking to bounce back against Korea DPR at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2024,
Korea controlled most of the first half, with Kenya managing only brief spells of possession.
In the 36th minute, the Junior Starlets nearly conceded a third goal, but the crossbar saved them from Choe Il Son’s powerful shot, with Abwire well beaten. This came just minutes after the side substituted Kang Ryu Mi for an injured Choe Il Son.
Three minutes before the break, Valarie Nekesa delivered a low pass to Marion Serenge at the edge of the area, but the ball was easily cleared by the Korean defense.
Korea should have extended their lead just four minutes after the restart as Jon Il Chong sent the ball into the area to Ri Su Jong, whose strike hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten.
Kenya began to show much more attacking ambition from two goals down and Marion Serenge was involved in everything.
Nekesa made some good runs just outside the area but her attempt was dealt with by North Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong and the Madira Girls attacker later failed to connect a pass to Serenge for a finish.
Junior Starlets did not lose their hunger in the attack and continued to give Korea problems, but their defense line was superb and continued to keep them out of his goal. The sides began to make tactical changes to strengthen their chances of grabbing the lead.
With five minutes remaining at the end of the match, Abwire made another sensational save to deny North Korea to extend their lead when Choe Rim Jong drove a powerful low shot that looked surely to be a goal.
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04:00 - 18.10.2024
Unlucky Junior Starlets lose to England in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup opener
Marion Serenge and Valerie Nekesa tormented England's backline but could not find the scoring formula.
The Koreans found their rhythm in the 86th minute when Ri Kuk Hyang scored her fourth goal of the tournament. Hyang made it 3-0, rising above the Kenyan defense to head in a delivery from Choe Rim Jong, placing it past Abwire.
How they lined up:
Kenya: Velma Abwire, Elizabeth Ochaka (C), Lorine Ilovanga, Diana Anyango, Christine Adhiambo, Halima Imbachi, Rebecca Odato, Lornah Faith, Velma Awuor, Marion Serenge, Valarie Nekesa
Subs: Ephy Awuor, Kimberly Akinyi, Jenevive Mithel, Quinter Odiwuor, Lindey Weey, Atieno, Susan Akoth, Joan Ogola, Jane Kweyu
Korea DPR: Pak Ju Gyong, Ri Ye Gyong, Jon Il Chong, So Ryu Gyong, Ho Kyong, Choe Rim Jong, Choe Yon A, Pak Il Sim, Choe Il Son, Ri Pom, Ri Kuk Hyang (C)
Subs: Choe Kyong Mi, Hong Ryu Mi, Choe Chong Gum, Jong Pak Yong, Son Jo Ye, Pak Ok I, Ri Su Jong, Kang Ryu Mi, Ro Un Hyang, An Kyong Yong
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