Fiji’s U-16 women’s soccer team, led by coach Marika Rodu, recently participated in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, finishing in fifth place. Although the team did not make it to the semi-finals, Rodu praised their determination and performance.
“We may have been out of the competition, but our spirits remained high. We learned from our three pool games, and while the match against the Solomon Islands could have gone either way, the girls were eager to conclude the tournament positively. I appreciate their hard work,” he expressed.
Rodu highlighted the valuable lessons the tournament offered, particularly noting Samoa’s impressive performance, which he pointed out as a standard for others. “The girls gained a lot of experience from this competition. Samoa has set a benchmark with their skillful ball movement and solid defense,” he said.
Additionally, Rodu expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing the importance of their presence during the tournament. “I want to thank the fans for their dedication; many traveled great distances to cheer us on, and I believe the girls truly valued their support,” he stated.