Kenya's history-making Junior Starlets are out of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after a 3-1 defeat to former champions Japan in the round of 16 on Thursday night in Morocco, a result that ended the deepest run any Kenyan side has made at the tournament.

Kenya led for a few minutes in the first half through Brenda Achieng at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé. Japan, champions in 2014, levelled before the break and pulled away in the second half with goals from Nanami Kurita and second-half substitute Asuka Tanaka. Japan play Ghana in the quarter-finals.

How the match unfolded

Japan dominated possession from the start, and Kenya goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo was called into action as early as the eighth minute. Kenya created their own chances too. Brenda Awuor headed over from a Joan Agola delivery, and Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki had to save a first-time strike from Gaudancia Maloba.

Kenya scored against the run of play in the 30th minute. Captain Bervalyne Awuor played a long ball forward, and Achieng controlled it before driving a low shot past Kadowaki, according to match reports by Mozzart Sport and Capital FM.

The lead lasted about seven minutes. Mei Hanashiro pounced on a loose ball after a deflection and levelled for Japan. Noelina Akuku went close for Kenya with a free-kick shortly before half-time, and Japan hit the crossbar just before the break.

Japan pressed harder after the restart and struck the woodwork again. Kurita put them ahead just before the hour, and Tanaka sealed the win in the 74th minute with a shot that went in off the inside of the post.

Cheche: "One day we will get there"

Head coach Mildred Cheche said the defeat did not take away from what her players had achieved in their second appearance at the global finals.

"I am proud of the girls because they played well compared to other games. This is our second World Cup and we have seen tremendous improvement. It's just a step at a time; one day we will get there," Cheche said, as quoted by Capital FM.

A tournament of firsts

The Junior Starlets went into the knockout stage after a 4-0 win over Samoa in their final group match, which gave Kenya its first-ever place in the last 16 of the competition. At the previous edition, on their debut, they went out in the group stage.

  • Result: Japan 3-1 Kenya (round of 16)
  • Kenya's scorer: Brenda Achieng (30')
  • Japan's scorers: Mei Hanashiro, Nanami Kurita, Asuka Tanaka
  • Next for Japan: quarter-final against Ghana

Kenya are going home, but the run has given the women's game a lift. Several of the players are young enough to push for places in the U-20 and senior Harambee Starlets set-ups in the coming years.

Photos: Mozzart Sport; Capital FM/FIFA. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.