Kenya women’s U17 team – Junior Starlets – on Sunday evening fell to their second loss of the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after going down to two-time champions Korea DPR at the Cibao Stadium in the Dominican Republic.Having faced the proverbial baptism by fire in their first ever world cup game against England last Friday – where they lost 2-0 – the Junior Starlets were again no match for their opposition in their second game, conceding two quick goals in the first half before eventually losing out 3-0.FT🇰🇵 3-0 🇰🇪#JuniorStarlets #GoJuniorStarlets pic.twitter.com/ujO9atzAjT— Harambee Starlets (@StarletsKE) October 20, 2024 Ryu Gyong So was the tormentor-in-chief in a rather quick start from Korea DPR, as she finished off a brilliant team move with a rasping shot from just outside the box that Kenyan goalkeeper Velma Abwire couldn’t keep out.Leading after just eight minutes, Mildred Cheche’s side lacked enough composure to fend off the Korean attack, and So was once again on target in the 11th minute, scoring a near identical goal, but this time from her left foot.Yon Choe was a constant threat and saw her shot go over the bar, with striker Kyong Ho also seeing her header go the same way.Tanzania rallies from behind to heartbreak Kenya in U20 AFCON qualifier finalIt was nothing short of the start many Kenyans expected, but Starlets, to their credit, hung on in the last quarter of the first half, defending as well as they did in their opening game.The only scare for them in that period came when Chong Jon, cutting through from the left, curled a shot that rattled the crossbar, with the rebound attempt being flagged off for offside.Soon after the break, Choe also kissed the crossbar after the Kenyan backline had failed to clear a cutback from the left, while substitute Su Jong Ri, lobbed her attempt wide after going past her markers.##NAJAVA_MECA_8424562##Kenya’s only decent go at goal – they had zero shots on target in the contest – came when Marion Serenge shot wide in the 57th minute after racing clear, but that was just that.Korea DPR would later pile on Kenya’s misery when skipper Kuk Hyang Ri rose highest to head in past Abwire with five minutes remaining, pushing the home girls closer to the brink.With the loss, Kenya dropped to bottom place in Group C, and could be eliminated from the tournament should England avoid a loss against Mexico.
