India loses to Kenya in FIFA Series 2026 semifinal The Indian women’s national team suffered a 0-2 loss to host Kenya in the semifinal of the FIFA Series 2026 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
Martha Emedot (2’) and Tereza Obunya (55’) scored for the host.
Earlier in the day, Australia defeated Malawi 5-0 in the first semifinal. With this result, India will now face Malawi in the third-place play-off on April 15, while Kenya will meet Australia in the final.
Kenya dominated the contest, both physically and tactically, against the Blue Tigresses. The Harambee Starlets seized control from the outset, using the width of the pitch effectively and imposing themselves physically across the park. India found it difficult to cope with the pace and intensity and failed to create clear attacking moves in the match.
Kenya struck early in the second minute. Fasila Omondi surged down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda made contact with the initial delivery, but couldn’t clear the danger. Martha Emedot reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted home with her right to give the host an early advantage.
ALSO READ | Crispin Chettri returns as India women head coach
The home side nearly doubled its lead five minutes later. Once again, Omondi caused problems on the left, sending in another well-directed cross. Shalyne Opisa met it from point-blank range, but Shreya stood tall to deny her with a crucial save. Kenya continued to pile on the pressure, and Opisa had another opportunity soon after when Leah Andiema delivered a cross. The Kenyan forward’s header, however, drifted inches wide of the target.
India’s troubles were compounded in the 14th minute when captain Pyari Xaxa sustained a head injury after colliding with Ruth Ingosi during an aerial tussle. Pyari was forced off and taken to the hospital. She remained conscious and is currently receiving medical attention.
Kenya remained the more composed side in the second half and continued to press forward. It’s persistence paid off again in the 55th minute when Airin Madalina released Tereza Obunyu with a precise through ball. Obunyu made a sharp run between Indian defenders before calmly finishing past Shreya to double the lead.
Crispin Chettri attempted to reorganise the Blue Tigresses in the latter stages, but Kenya maintained its defensive discipline and physical superiority. A notable moment for the visitor came in the 87th minute when Jasoda Munda marked her international debut as she replaced Babina Devi Lisham in midfield.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
#India #loses #Kenya #FIFA #Series #semifinal
The Indian women’s national team suffered a 0-2 loss to host Kenya in the semifinal of the FIFA Series 2026 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
Martha Emedot (2’) and Tereza Obunya (55’) scored for the host.
Earlier in the day, Australia defeated Malawi 5-0 in the first semifinal. With this result, India will now face Malawi in the third-place play-off on April 15, while Kenya will meet Australia in the final.
Kenya dominated the contest, both physically and tactically, against the Blue Tigresses. The Harambee Starlets seized control from the outset, using the width of the pitch effectively and imposing themselves physically across the park. India found it difficult to cope with the pace and intensity and failed to create clear attacking moves in the match.
Kenya struck early in the second minute. Fasila Omondi surged down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda made contact with the initial delivery, but couldn’t clear the danger. Martha Emedot reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted home with her right to give the host an early advantage.
ALSO READ | Crispin Chettri returns as India women head coach
The home side nearly doubled its lead five minutes later. Once again, Omondi caused problems on the left, sending in another well-directed cross. Shalyne Opisa met it from point-blank range, but Shreya stood tall to deny her with a crucial save. Kenya continued to pile on the pressure, and Opisa had another opportunity soon after when Leah Andiema delivered a cross. The Kenyan forward’s header, however, drifted inches wide of the target.
India’s troubles were compounded in the 14th minute when captain Pyari Xaxa sustained a head injury after colliding with Ruth Ingosi during an aerial tussle. Pyari was forced off and taken to the hospital. She remained conscious and is currently receiving medical attention.
Kenya remained the more composed side in the second half and continued to press forward. It’s persistence paid off again in the 55th minute when Airin Madalina released Tereza Obunyu with a precise through ball. Obunyu made a sharp run between Indian defenders before calmly finishing past Shreya to double the lead.
Crispin Chettri attempted to reorganise the Blue Tigresses in the latter stages, but Kenya maintained its defensive discipline and physical superiority. A notable moment for the visitor came in the 87th minute when Jasoda Munda marked her international debut as she replaced Babina Devi Lisham in midfield.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
![Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/opmooz/article70850888.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/Lead%20image%2011.png?ssl=1 "Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar")
Post Comment