Kenya lose penultimate World Cup match
Kenya suffered yet another loss to Serbia at the ongoing FIVB women’s World Cup on Saturday in Japan, a result that coincidentally assured the European nation of qualification to next year’s Olympic Games.
The fast improving Serbia were tipped to beat Malkia Strikers, who have struggled for positive results throughout the tournament, and they duly delivered a 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-19) at the Sports Arena in Komaki.
Kenya’s technical bench, led by coach David Lung’aho, made a raft of changes in the team’s starting line up by including the likes of Noel Murambi, Janet Wanja and Lydia Maiyo.
However, the changes didn’t provide the desired results as Serbia proved too strong in all the departments from the word go.
Stevanovic Jevana in particular proved a thorn in Kenya’s flesh on the left side, with her diagonal hits which blockers Maiyo and Ruth Jepngetich couldn’t cope with.
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“I am very happy because we have won nine games in a row. My players have beaten the world champions (USA), European champions (Russia) and now the African champions (Kenya). We deserve to be at the Olympics and I am happy we have managed to secure our visa from this tournament,” the Serbian coach Zoran said during the post-match press conference.
“I also want to congratulate Kenya, who have kept on working hard and improving every time we meet them,” the coach added.
Serbia now top the 12 team table standings heading into the last round of matches on Sunday and need a win by atleast two clear sets against Argentina in their last fixture to be crowned World champions.
Should they falter, then China, Russia and the USA in that order could take advantage with a final day win to snatch the title.
The trio of teams are also still in the running to qualify for the Olympic Games, a slot reserved for the nations that finish the competition in the top two positions.
Kenya meanwhile will play Peru in her last match in Nagoya on Sunday. Victory will assure Kenya a tenth-place finish.