Japan end Junior Starlets’ World Cup journey with second-half comeback

Japan and Junior Starlets in action during their round-of-16 tie in Salé, Morocco (Photo: FIFA)

Kenya’s Junior Starlets bowed out of the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after Japan overturned an early deficit to claim a 3-1 victory in their round-of-16 encounter at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco.

Brenda Achieng gave Kenya the lead in the first half, raising hopes of another memorable result after the East Africans reached the knockout stage for the first time. However, Japan fought back to level before the break, then scored twice in the second half to book a quarter-final meeting with Ghana.

The defeat ended Kenya’s campaign at the last-16 stage, but the team leaves the tournament having achieved a historic milestone by progressing beyond the group phase.

Japan began the contest with greater control of possession and looked to put the Kenyan defence under pressure early. Yuka Kishida and Nana Kurita combined in the eighth minute, but goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo was alert to the danger.

Kenya soon found opportunities of their own. Brenda Awuor rose to meet Joan Agola’s cross in the 15th minute, only to send her header over the bar. Three minutes later, Gaudancia Maloba forced Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki into a save with a first-time effort after receiving a pass from Lindsey Weey.

Captain Bervalyne Awuor also helped keep Japan at bay, making a timely sliding challenge to stop Mei Hanashiro during another dangerous attack.

Despite Japan’s early pressure, it was Kenya who struck first. In the 30th minute, captain Awuor sent a long ball forward that Brenda Achieng brought under control before driving a low shot past Kadowaki to put the Junior Starlets ahead.

The lead lasted only a few minutes. Japan launched a quick counterattack, with Nana Kurita meeting Haruna Matsushita’s delivery, but Okoyo produced a crucial save. Japan continued to push and found their equaliser when Hanashiro Mei reacted to a loose ball after Noa Ito’s effort took a deflection off Awuor, guiding it into the net.

Kenya had a chance to restore their advantage before half-time when Noelina Akuku stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Her attempt went narrowly over, while Japan came close at the other end as Kishida headed Matsushita’s delivery against the crossbar just before the interval.

Japan carried that momentum into the second half. Kurita struck the crossbar five minutes after the restart following a corner clearance, signalling the mounting pressure on Kenya’s defence.

The breakthrough came shortly before the hour mark, when Nanami Kurita scored to put Japan in front for the first time in the match.

Kenya tried to limit the damage as Japan pressed for another goal. Okoyo kept her side in contention with a save from Momoka Honda’s long-range effort in the 66th minute, while Awuor intervened to clear another threat.

Japan eventually secured the win in the 74th minute. Substitute Asuka Tanaka collected Runa Sumiya’s delivery, created room against her marker and shot towards goal. The effort deflected off the inside of the post before crossing the line to make it 3-1.

The Japanese side managed the closing stages as Kenya searched for a response, but the Junior Starlets were unable to find another goal.

The result brings Kenya’s second appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup to an end in the round of 16. Their progress to the knockout stage, sealed with a 4-0 win over Samoa, represented a major step forward from their group-stage exit at the previous edition.

Japan, the 2014 champions, advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Ghana.