Paris 2024: Brazil too good for Malkia Strikers in Olympics opener
29th July 2024
The two-time Olympic champions were in a class of their own as they stretched their unbeaten record against Kenya to 8 games.
Kenya face Poland in their next match on Wednesday at 10pm before taking on Japan on August 3.
Kenya needs to finish inside the top two in their pool or as one of the two best third-place finishers to qualify for the quarterfinals.
The are three groups made up of four teams each.
Brazil continued their dominance over Malkia Strikers after beating the Kenyans in straight sets (25-14, 25-13, 25-12) in their opening Pool B encounter at the
2024 Paris Olympic Games on Monday at South Paris Arena.
Up against the daunting challenge from the two-time Olympic champions, Kenya found it hard to come up with any answers from the word go as Brazil recorded the eighth win in a row against Kenya.
Despite the defeat, Kenya coach Japheth Munala, who handed
debuts to a number of players including captain Trizah Atuka, Pamela
Adhiambo, Esther Mutinda, Emmaculate
Nekesa, Belinda Barasa, Juliana Namutira
and Veronica Adhiambo, was not too downcast about the results.
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“The players tried their best especially in the first half
and second sets although we didn’t go beyond 15 points. But you could see
resistance from the team both in reception and attack as well as back defence,”
Munala said.
“Our main problem in Kenya and Africa in general has been the reception but I think today the girls received many balls well.
We just failed to kill off those balls when we got them and allowed the Brazilians to capitalize on our own ball. Brazilians were very fast on the net, and that gave us some problem,” he remarked after the game.
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On her side, Kenya captain Atuka said: “This is not the result we wanted but I think we had some good moments, especially with the reception which is usually against us on the international scene. Our reception was quite good, we just had an issue with taking the side out,” said Atuka.
“Brazil did well in their defence more so with the blocking.
Despite that, we played and enjoyed each
and every point we got today.
“It was great to make my Olympic debut but at the same time, it was quite emotional walking on that court. I’m living the dream and I just wanted to enjoy this match and psych the team regardless of the result."
Ten-time African champions Kenya face Poland in their next match on Wednesday at 10pm before taking on Japan on August 3.
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