Kenya U17's fairytale run in the 2026 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup came to a halt in the round of 16 hurdle after a 3-1 defeat to 2014 champions Japan in a clash staged at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsJapan came from behind to secure victory, with second-half goals from Nanami Kurita and Asuka Tanaka sending the Asian side into the quarter-finals, where they will face Ghana.EXCLUSIVE: Harambee Stars' provisional squad to face South AfricaThe Junior Starlets had entered the knockout stage with confidence after securing a historic maiden round of 16 qualification, courtesy of a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa.However, their hopes of extending the fairytale run were halted by a technically superior Japanese side.Japan started on the front foot, dominating possession and searching for an early breakthrough. Yuka Kishida and Nana Kurita combined in the eighth minute, but goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo reacted quickly to deny them.##NAJAVA_MECA_10067199##Kenya responded through Brenda Awuor, who rose to meet Joan Agola’s delivery in the 15th minute but sent her effort narrowly over the crossbar.Three minutes later, Gaudancia Maloba tested Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki with a first-time effort after picking out Lindsey Weey’s pass, only for the keeper to produce a fine save.Japan continued to apply pressure, with Mei Hanashiro coming close in the 23rd minute, but captain Bervalyne Awuor made a timely sliding intervention to keep the Junior Starlets in the contest.Billions Kenya is likely to splash in hosting Bayern vs Ajax friendly in NairobiAgainst the run of play, Kenya broke the deadlock in the 30th minute through Brenda Achieng. Captain Awuor launched a long ball forward, which Achieng controlled before unleashing a low strike past Kadowaki to give the Junior Starlets the lead.Japan responded three minutes later when Nana Kurita connected with Haruna Matsushita’s delivery following a quick counterattack, but goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo made an important save.The equaliser eventually arrived through Hanashiro Mei, who capitalised on a loose ball after Noa Ito’s effort deflected off Awuor, guiding it into the net to restore parity.##NAJAVA_MECA_10066897##Kenya nearly regained the advantage seven minutes before the break when Noelina Akuku stepped up for a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but her effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar.Japan finished the first half strongly, with Kishida heading Matsushita’s delivery against the crossbar at the stroke of half-time as both sides went into the break level.The Asian side resumed with renewed intensity and nearly took the lead five minutes after the restart when Kurita struck the crossbar following a corner-kick clearance.How Mombasa visit pushed Queens Park Rangers defender to enrol for Swahili classesJapan eventually completed the turnaround just before the hour mark, with Nanami Kurita finding the back of the net to put her side 2-1 ahead.The pressure continued as Japan sought to extend their advantage, with Momoka Honda testing Okoyo from distance in the 66th minute before Awuor intervened to clear the danger.Tanaka then put the result beyond Kenya’s reach in the 74th minute. The second-half substitute collected Runa Sumiya’s delivery, created space against her marker and fired towards goal, with her effort taking a deflection off the inside of the post before crossing the line.Bayern Munich explain reason for hosting Ajax friendly in NairobiJapan controlled the closing stages as Kenya searched for a way back, but the Junior Starlets could not find another goal to revive their hopes.The result brings Kenya’s second FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign to an end at the round of 16, marking a significant improvement on their group-stage exit at the previous edition, while Japan advance to the last eight to face Ghana.
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