Kenya’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche is targeting a victory against Japan as the team prepares for Thursday’s Round of 16 clash at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Kenyan side booked their place in the knockout stage for the first time after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group E match, finishing among the four best third-placed teams in the tournament.

Having suffered 3-0 and 6-1 defeats against China and the United States respectively, the Starlets needed a convincing victory and favorable results elsewhere to keep their campaign alive.

Mwanakombo Bakari starred with a brace, while Brenda Awuor and Gaudencia Maloba scored a goal each to seal the crucial win and set up a meeting with 2014 champions Japan on October 29.

Cheche praised her players for making history but acknowledged the challenge awaiting them against the Asian heavyweights.

“I think the girls did well. Qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time is history, and now we have a lot to do to overcome heavyweights Japan,” Cheche said.

She explained that the team had targeted an early flurry of goals against Samoa but missed several opportunities before eventually scoring four times.

“Japan is not an easy side to defeat, but we will prepare well, and I’m hoping for the best,” she added.

Bakari, who was named Player of the Match, said the victory had boosted the team’s confidence and vowed to give her best against Japan.

“Being named Player of the Match was a great feeling, and it came with the assistance of other players in the team. Against Japan, I will be more determined and hope to score more goals to propel my team to the quarter-final,” she said.

The victory lifted Kenya to third place in Group E with three points, four behind group winners China, who beat the United States 3-2 in the other match on Sunday.

The Starlets have now surpassed their performance at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic, where they finished third in Group C after losing to England and North Korea before beating Mexico 2-1 in their final group match.

Elsewhere, Japan topped Group D with a perfect nine points from three matches, scoring nine goals without conceding.

Venezuela also advanced to the knockout stage with three points after Mexico beat Australia 1-0 to finish second in Group F.