FIFA Series: Harambee Starlets book date with Australia after cruising past India

Harambee Starlets booked a date with Australia following their comfortable 2-0 win over India in a 2026 FIFA Series encounter played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 11 April.

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A goal in either half from Martha Amunyolet inside the second minute, coupled with a strike from Terry Engesha three minutes shy of the hour mark, ensured Kenya walked away with victory.

Beldine Odemba's charges began the match on a high note, taking full advantage of their home support with Fasila Kamama Adhiambo delivering a cross that was agonisingly missed by Tereza Obunyu.

Harambee Starlets made a good account of themselves in the second minute when Martha Amunyolet got on the end of a loose ball in the box from a Kenyan corner and fired the ball into the back of the net to send Nyayo Stadium into a frenzy.

The Kenyans were back at it in the third minute when Vivian Nasaka laid an enticing cross into the box, but there was no red jersey to connect to it.

Kenya had another opportunity in the sixth minute when Fasila found Sharline Opisa with a pinpoint cross, but the latter shot directly at the hands of Shreya Hooda in the Indian goal, who made a comfortable save.

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Both teams would then suffer a blow when Ruth Ingosi collided with an Indian player, leaving the two players needing emergency treatment as they had to be wheeled away in an ambulance for specialised treatment.

The flurry of chances for Kenya continued in the 29th minute when Tereza Engesha was presented with an opportunity from a cross, but her header was nowhere near the target.

The Beldine Odemba-coached side came closer in the 38th minute as Amunyolet picked a ball outside the box and unleashed a shot that called for Hooda’s save.

The last chance of the half fell to Opisa, whose attempted shot from long range drifted to the skies, with Kenya taking a 1-0 lead to the break.

Second half

In the second half, Starlets picked up from where they left off and had the first chance in the 47th minute, Amunyolet receiving a pass from Fasila, but failed to find the target with her shot.

Kenya continued to push for a second goal but were let down by misplaced passes in the final third by Fasila and Valary Nekesa in the 55th minute.

Starlets' efforts finally paid off in the 57th minute when Tereza Engesha was put through on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and expertly placed her ball past the helpless custodian to double Kenya’s advantage.

Captain Mwanalima Dogo Adam, who had been impressive in midfield the whole evening, tried her luck from range, but her effort was not enough to trouble the goalkeeper.

India, who were visibly struggling from the high altitude, had a rare chance on the hour mark, Pyari Xaxa picking a loose ball and attempting a shot that went way off target.

Engesha had a chance to grab her second of the day in the 63rd minute, but her shot from an Adam pass went to the skies.

Substitute Elizabeth Mideva had her first chance of the match in the 71st minute when she took a shot from inside the box, but it was direct into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Kenya came close once again in the 75th minute, Leah Andiema hitting the crossbar before the rebound fell to Nekesa, who could only hit the side netting.

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Amunyolet also wasted a chance to grab her second of the day in the 77th minute when, from a chance inside the box, she shot over the bar.

With the full-time whistle fast approaching, Kenya, who were on an all-out attack, had the last chance of the match in the 87th minute when Mideva picked a ball from midfield, drove into the byline and attempted a shot that was saved for a corner by the goalkeeper.

In the end, Kenya managed to secure an important 2-0 victory against an India side that is ranked 67th on the FIFA rankings, while Kenya are placed 134th.

Kenya will now face Australia in the FIFA Series final slated for Wednesday, 15 April at the Nyayo Stadium, while India will battle Malawi in the third-place playoff on the same day.