The Junior Starlets delivered a stellar performance in a friendly match on Wednesday, overpowering Valencia CF Women with a commanding 4-1 victory at the Ciudad Deportiva del València CF.
This win marks a significant boost for the young team as they gear up for their upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup debut.
Valerie Nekesa put the Starlets ahead early in the 9th minute, seizing on a perfectly timed pass from Halima Imbachi to slot the ball into the net. The forward doubled the lead in the 26th minute with an astute run, recognizing the goalkeeper was off her line and coolly finishing to make it 2-0.
As the first half drew to a close, Lindey Weey Atieno capitalized on a precise assist from Lornah Faith, calmly adding a third goal just before the break. The Junior Starlets headed into halftime with a dominant 3-0 lead, reflecting their control over the match.
The second half saw Atieno continue her scoring spree, netting her second goal through a well-executed set piece in the 50th minute, extending the lead to 4-0. Despite the Starlets’ commanding lead, Valencia CF Women managed to pull one back late in the game, scoring a penalty in the 88th minute, but it was too little, too late as the match ended 4-1 in favor of the Junior Starlets.
Looking ahead, the Junior Starlets are set to face Portugal on September 27 and Intercity on September 30 in further friendly matches. These games are crucial for fine-tuning tactics and building match fitness ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on October 16, 2024, in the Dominican Republic.
In the World Cup, the Junior Starlets will face tough competition right from the start, with matches lined up against England on October 18, Korea DPR on October 20, and Mexico on October 24.
