Lionesses suffer defeat to Hong Kong in Montevideo opener
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 08.03.24. | 20:44
The Lionesses will have a chance to redeem themselves when they Papua New Guinea at 11:26 pm
Kenya Women's National Rugby team; the Lionesses started their International Women's Day on a wrong footing after going down 12-0 to China in the opening match of the Challenger Series in Montevideo.
The Lionesses were on a revenge mission after China cost them the Dubai Challenger Series title.
In Dubai, they had defeated the Chinese ladies 17-12 in their opening pool match and we're hoping to keep the winning streak alive.
China came in stronger in the finals to see off the red-hot Lionesses 19-5.
The match did not start fluently. The opening minutes were characterized by handling errors which cost the Lionesses dearly.
China capitalized on the scrappy Lionesses' defense to strike the first four minutes into the game.
Kenya struggled with possession as the strong Chinese defense could force them to make errors anytime.
They did not complete a proper passing phase in the opening match.
In the closing minutes of the opening half, Kenya almost struck but lost the ball at their green zone before the referee signaled for halftime.
The closing half was China-dominated. Kenya failed to pick up the necessary lessons in the opening half, and in the sixth minute of the dying half, it was China's captain leading by example to score a converted try.
The try demotivated the Lionesses who failed to sparkle in their set pieces.
That was the case until the referee blew the final whistle, leading to cheers and jubilation from the Hong Kong players.
The Lionesses will have a chance to redeem themselves when they Papua New Guinea at 11:26 pm.
Kenya Lionesses squad to Uruguay: Sheila Chajira (captain), Naomi Amuguni, Judith Okumu, Stella Wafula, Sharon Auma, Grace Adhiambo, Janet Okello, Christabel Lindo, Sinaida Nyachio, Maureen Muritu, Phoebe Akinyi, Terry Ayesa
Lionesses' upcoming matches:
Kenya vs Papua New Guinea 11:26 pm
Kenya vs Belgium 6:21 pm
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