FACING JAPAN TEST: Malkia Strikers seeking to register first FIVB Women's World Cup win against hosts today

Kenya will be looking for their first victory at the ongoing FIVB Women’s World Cup as they face Japan in Tokyo today.

After losing 3-0 (25-26, 25-21 and 25-21) to Russia at the Yoyogi National Stadium on Monday, Malkia Strikers will be praying to beat the hosts.

The Kenyan girls have only won a set during their first match of the tournament against Cuba on Saturday before losing their next two matches in straight sets.

Despite Malkia Strikers’ performance not having improved from the previous editions, head coach David Lung’aho remains confident his charges will improve in their last two first-round matches. 

Things will, however, not be rosy for Malkia Strikers since the hosts, who have won once and lost one match, will also be out to redeem themselves in front of their home fans. Japan lost 3-2 (25-12, 18-25, 21-25, 25-23, 13-15) against Russia but beat Argentina.

In their third match, Russian Tatiana Kosheleva was Kenya’s tormentor in chief, leading with 16 points as her team-mate Natalia Malykh scored 10 points in the encounter that saw Malkia Strikers’ captain Brackcides Khadambi and Mercy Moim score 16 and 12 points respectively.

The Russians won the first set 25-16, utilising good attack techniques that formed a balanced distribution of hits from their players.

The Kenyans reorganised themselves in the second set to lead 4-1 at one point but Russia, who are the tournament’s favourites, reacted quickly to tie at 4-4.

Although the Kenyans intensified attacks, Russia, who seemed stronger, won the second set.

In the third set, yet again, Malkia Strikers led 8-5 and 16-14 during the first and second technical timeouts but the Russians fought gallantly to win the third set 25-21.

Coach Lung’aho said the team will be out to salvage their pride as African champions in the remaining two matches of the first round against Japan and Argentina.

“We will work on our mistakes before the second round of matches,” Lung’aho told FeverPitch.

The tactician added that Russia had an height advantage and they had to do a lot of chasing in the second and third sets.

African continent representatives Kenya and Algeria are yet to win a match in the first round.

Meanwhile, Bungoma County Volleyball Club and General Service Unit (GSU) are the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Challenge Cup winners.

The tournament was played at Kamukunji Stadium in Nyeri over the weekend.

Bungoma defeated Kenya Academy of Sports in straight sets 25-19, 25-19 and 25-20 in the women’s finals while former national champions GSU overwhelmed Prisons Kenya 3-2 (25-22, 25-10, 16-25, 26-15, 25-13) in a five-set thriller.