It wasn’t a great ending for India’s women’s national team at the FIFA Series 2026. On Saturday, the team lost their semifinal game to host Kenya by 0-2. The game was held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Martha Emedot and Tereza Obunya were the two goal scorers for the host. In the other semifinals, Australia defeated Malawi by 5-0.
Despite the defeat, India still has another chance in the third-place play-off where it will face Malawi on April 15, while Kenya and Australia will clash each other in the final.
The Blue Tigresses were dominated early in the contest by Kenya who made great use of physicality and tactics. The Harambee Starlets made effective use of the pitch, while India faced the struggle to cope with and match their pace and failed to create attacking moves against them.
Kenya struck in the second minute through Fasila Omondi who had surged down the left flank and performed a difficult cross into the box. Meanwhile, India’s goalkeeper Shreya Hooda did not respond sooner which resulted in Martha Emedot making a quick rebound to give the host an early advantage.
Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead. On the left Omondi sent a well-directed cross to Shalyne Opisa in the point-blank range, but the Indian goalkeeper denied it with a crucial save. Kenya continued to mount pressure on India. Opisa got another opportunity after Leah Andiema delivered a cross but her header was wide of the target.
Meanwhile, in the 14th minute, India’s captain Pyari Xaxa suffered a head injury after colliding with Kenya’s Ruth Ingosi. She was immediately rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention.
In the second half, Kenya remained calm and composed and continued to press forward, which earned them the advantage in the 55th minute. Airin Madalina gets a through ball to Tereza Obunyu who then converts it into a sharp run against the Indian defenders and successfully edges them past to double the lead for the hosts.
In the latter half, Crispin Chettri tried her best to bring out the form for the Blue Tigresses in the latter stages, but Kenya were defensive, disciplined and held the dominance. In the 87th minute, Jasoda Munda made her international debut after replacing Babina Devi Lisham in midfield.
