Kenya vs Australia: Preview, Team News and Where to Watch as Harambee Starlets Eye FIFA Series Trophy

Harambee Starlets are set for one of their biggest tests ever when they take on one of the world’s teams in Australia in the FIFA Series final on Wednesday.

Kenya, ranked 1334th in the world, will face 15th-ranked Australia at the Nyayo Stadium, and the match will give them a good idea over where they are as they prepare for their second appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations slated between July 25 and August 18 in Morocco.

Beldine Odemba’s team come into the match after beating India 2-0 on Saturday while the Australians thrashed Malawi 5-0 the same day and with a trophy at stake, Kenya have their work cut out.

Starlets wasted a host of chances in that match and will need to improve remarkably to have a good chance against the highly-fancied Pacific Island nation.

Kenya’s defence was also not tested by India but that will change on Wednesday as Australia possess some of the world’s top players who will make life difficult for the hosts.

Harambee Starlets ended a run of four games without a win when they beat India 2-0, the victory coming after 1-0 and 2-0 defeats to Ivory Coast and Benin respectively while they had drawn 1-1 and lost 2-1, both to Algeria before that.

Meanwhile, Australia bounced back from the pain of losing the Asian Cup final to thrash lowly ranked Malawi 5-0. They came into the mini-tournament after a 1-0 defeat to Japan in the Asian Cup final, their only negative from a near flawless run.

They had beaten the Philippines 1-0, thrashed Iran 4-0 before a 3-3 draw with South Korea at the group stage and then recorded identical 2-1 wins over North Korea and China in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.

Kenya and Australia have never met before but they have played thrice against Asia opposition with the win over India following on a 4-1 loss to Philippines and 1-0 defeat to Chinese Taipei.

Starlets will likely be without defender Ruth Ingosi, who was subbed off early against India after a head injury while Odemba explained that she rested some players with an eye on the Australia match.

Meanwhile, the Matildas have in their squad Sam Kerr, one of the most feared players in the world. The former Chelsea star, now playing for Liverpool, came into the FIFA Series after scoring four goals at the Asian Cup and announced her arrival in Nairobi with a goal as they thrashed Malawi.

The match will kick off at 5.30pm (Kenyan time) and will be live on TV47.