Kenya faces double defeat in FIH Hockey 5s World Cup quarterfinals and classification match

On a challenging day at the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman, the Kenyan men's national team encountered setbacks suffering defeats in both the quarterfinals and the subsequent 5th-8th position classification match.

The quarterfinal clash against hosts Oman proved to be a stern test for the Kenyan boys. Despite the efforts of Bethuel Masambu who scored a brace, Kenya fell short as Oman secured a 5-2 victory. Al Shaaibi Khalid's impressive hattrick, complemented by goals from Al Fazari Rashad and Barazahan Asama, propelled Oman into the semifinals, leaving Kenya to regroup and reflect on the missed opportunity.

In the subsequent classification match against India, Kenya faced a formidable opponent in a high-scoring encounter. Moses Ademba's hattrick, showcasing his offensive prowess in the 12th, 14th, and 27th minutes, was a testament to Kenya's determination. Captain Ivan Ludiali added another goal in the 24th minute. However, India emerged victorious with a dominant performance. Singh Uttam's hattrick, coupled with goals from Raheel Mohammed Manjeet, Rajbhar Pawan, Mor Mandeep, and Singh Gurjot, resulted in a 9-4 win for India.

The double defeats mark a challenging phase for the Kenyan hockey contingent in the tournament. Despite the setbacks, the team has demonstrated resilience and skill throughout their journey in the inaugural FIH Hockey 5s World Cup.

Malungu delighted as Kenya advances to FIH Hockey 5s World Cup quarterfinals