Defending women’s champions Kenya virtually put one foot into the quarterfinals after convincingly beating Indonesia 13-0 in a one-sided Group A tie of the Roll Ball World Cup played at Mirpur Indoor Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sunday.
This was their second win after a similar 13-0 win over Thailand in their opening match. Kenya is now top of the group with six points.
In this match, Kenya was dominant from the go with Purity Siyengo and Angela Kithinji scoring four goals each. Others scorers were Stella Sikhilla and Monicah Ndunge.
Debutant Kithinji, has been a revelation to the team. She also scored four goals in the opening match.
Kenya face closest challengers England (four points) to determine the group winners in their final preliminary round match after the English side picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Thailand.
“I am happy with the result as the girls stuck to the game plan. Our offence pressed hard and that paid off. We remain focused as we take one game at a time,” head coach Jacob Nyaudo said.
In the men’s category, Albert Omware capped off a fine performance by scoring a hat trick in a 5-3 win over favourites Denmark. Joseph Alukhala and captain Moses Atenya completed the scoring.
This was Kenya’s first win over the 2011 champions in three attempts. It was their second win of the tourney to sit top of a compact Group F on six points. However, the group is still wide open with Sri Lanka and Senegal on their tail after amassing four points each.
Head coach Jared Onyango was pleased with the result and attributes good team tactics for the win. “They were rough and were penalized thrice and we managed to convert two penalties. So far this has been our toughest match. All in all it was a good match,” he remarked.
Men, results (Sunday)
Kenya 5 Denmark 3, Senegal v Philippines (Walkover given to Senegal)
Fixtures, Monday
Kenya v Sri Lanka (9 a.m.), Philippines v Kenya (11.15 a.m.), Sri Lanka v Denmark (2.30 p.m.), Denmark v Senegal (3.15 p.m)
Women, results (Sunday)
Kenya 13 Indonesia 0, England 1 Thailand 0.
Fixtures, Monday
Kenya v England (5.30 p.m).
