By Rama Mohammed |
gland captain Laila Harbert recalls her team’s memorable clash with Kenya at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, describing it as one of her standout moments of the tournament. Kenya, who made history with a debut win against Mexico, impressed England’s players and coach alike with their resilience and spirit.
Kenya may have exited the ongoing 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, but the Junior Starlets left a lasting impression on the teams they faced. England captain Laila Harbert is among the players reflecting on her encounter with Kenya, who made history at the tournament by winning their first match against Mexico in the group stage.
For Harbert, the experience of playing Kenya ranks as one of her top moments in the World Cup. “It was our opening match, so it felt special to us. We wanted to make a statement,” said the Arsenal Women FC midfielder. “We expected to score several goals, but Kenya proved resilient. They came prepared to compete, and that was clear from the final scoreline, which didn’t go as expected.”
Harbert wasn’t the only one to commend Kenya’s performance. Defender Las Nelly, who also plays for Leicester Women FC, described Kenya as a “proficient but physical side,” adding, “They gave us a solid challenge, one we won’t forget because it was our first match in the tournament.”
England’s coach, Natalie Henderson, agreed that Kenya proved to be a formidable opponent. “We prepared thoroughly, studying Kenya’s style online since they were new to us. We knew they’d bring a physical game, but they also brought character and spirit,” Henderson said. “It was rewarding to secure the three points, but Kenya’s performance pushed my players, and it was a valuable experience for their development.”
Henderson believes that with continued investment in women’s football, academy training, and structured development through age categories, Kenya has great potential in future tournaments. She added that Kenya’s competitiveness offered invaluable experience to her squad.
With England now in the semifinals, having defeated Japan 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regular time, Harbert and her teammates are focused on their next challenge. “Playing Japan wasn’t easy, so we’ll take a moment to celebrate before we prepare to face Spain,” said Harbert. “Our dream is to win this tournament, and we’re doing everything we can to make it happen.”
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