Fiji’s national women’s team, the Kulas, staged a late fightback but fell 3-2 to hosts Hong Kong in the first of two FIFA Women’s International Friendlies in Hong Kong on Tuesday, October 17. Hong Kong built a 3-0 lead before Narieta Leba and Elesi Tabunase struck for Fiji to set up a tense finish that the visitors could not quite convert into an equaliser.
The match marked a valuable test for coach Nicola Demaine’s side against opposition from outside the Oceania region. Demaine said the game “was exactly what we wanted it to be. A challenging test outside of OFC competition,” adding that the team started nervously but grew in confidence as the 90 minutes progressed. “That’s why we need exposure at this level,” she said, while acknowledging concern over conceding three goals.
Leba pulled one back to give Fiji hope before Tabunase’s strike narrowed the margin further and sparked a period of pressure from the Kulas. Despite creating chances late on, Fiji were unable to find a third goal and Hong Kong held on for the victory. The comeback, Demaine said, demonstrated resilience and provided a clearer picture of areas the team must shore up.
The friendly also allowed Fiji to make use of FIFA’s updated substitution regulations, with the coaching staff rotating all 18 players available for the match. Among those handed valuable minutes was Ulamila Rasovasova, who made her senior international debut in the fixture — a milestone Demaine highlighted as an important step in broadening the national squad’s experience.
Demaine stressed the learning opportunities the tour presents ahead of the second and final friendly, scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2023. She expressed confidence the lessons taken from the defeat would contribute to a more consistent performance in the return meeting, with the coaching team expected to tinker with personnel and tactics to steady the defence while retaining the attacking threat that produced the two late goals.
The Hong Kong series represents one of the Kulas’ rare competitive outings beyond Oceania, aimed at testing the players against different styles and intensities than those encountered in OFC competition. With the second friendly looming, the focus for Demaine and her players will be converting the encouraging signs of character shown in the comeback into a full 90-minute performance.