The Fiji U20 women’s team has returned home following their inaugural participation in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup held in Colombia.
The team faced significant challenges in the group stages, suffering heavy defeats with scores of 11-0 against France, 9-0 against Brazil, and 9-0 against Canada. Nonetheless, their journey to the World Cup is 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 came as a surprise to the players, who felt that their dedication and hard work had finally paid off.
Rekha highlighted the importance of physical fitness and the necessity to adjust to the fast pace of international play. She remarked, “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.”
Despite the heavy losses, the tournament offered the Young Kulas invaluable exposure to the international arena, enhancing their experience and understanding of advanced football.