The Fiji U20 women’s team has returned to their home country after competing in their inaugural FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Although the team faced significant challenges during the group stages, suffering defeats of 11-0 against France, 9-0 against Brazil, and 9-0 against Canada, their participation marks a significant achievement for Fijian football.
Defender Angeline Rekha expressed her feelings about the experience, stating, “It’s a dream come true because hardly anyone gets qualified for it. People make sacrifices just to reach there.”
The qualification itself came as a surprise to the players, who believed their dedication had finally been rewarded. Rekha highlighted the necessity of physical fitness and adapting to the high pace of international matches.
“For me, it was important to stay fit and to cope with the speed in the game. I wished for my team to get the tempo of the play,” she mentioned.
Despite the heavy scores, the tournament provided the Young Kulas with invaluable experience on the global stage, enhancing their understanding and exposure to elite-level football.