Junior starlets lose inaugural world cup U17 match to England

World Cup U17

Friday, 18 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Junior Starlets lost their opening match in the FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup by 2-0 against England on Friday morning at CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros.

Goals from Lola Brown and Lauryn Thompson helped England overcome a tough Kenya side at Dominican Republic held tournament. 

It was Kenya's debut competition in any FIFA world cup match for any level of the National football team which meant they had alot to prove what they were bringing into the World's biggest football stage. 

England found their stride just shy of the half-hour mark when Omotara Junaid’s fizzing ball hit the hand of Kenya’s Halima Imbachi in the area.

Brown was tasked with penalty-taking duties and calmly tucked home for the goal.

The Junior Starlets pushed for an equaliser with Marion Serenge and Valerie Nekesa tormenting England's backline but could not find the scoring formula.

Brown, along with fellow attackers Vera Jones and Izzy Fisher, pushed for a late insurance goal and Thompson delivered by pouncing onto a loose ball at the halfway line and firing a shot that deflected in off the post to seal the victory.

Coach Mildred Cheche will needs to find a way of improvw Kenya's fortunes against Korea DPR whom they will play on October 20th. 

Meanwhile Korea DPR won their opening match 4-1 to Mexico leading group C alongside England who won against Kenya.