The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history as they become the first Fijian women’s team to compete in a FIFA World Cup event, taking the field in Colombia tomorrow. Under the guidance of coach Angeline Chua, the team will face formidable opponents Brazil at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.
Drawn into a challenging Group B, which includes Brazil, France, and Canada, assistant coach Annette Nainima shared that the players are feeling both “excited and nervous.” Most of the team has previously only watched the Women Under-20 World Cup on television and now have the opportunity to compete against teams they admired.
Fiji’s journey to the World Cup commenced when FIFA expanded the U-20 Women’s World Cup from 16 to 24 teams. The team secured their place by finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship held in July.
Nainima noted that they’ve received strong support from their federation back home, with the CEO highly motivated to provide the best resources for the team. To prepare for the tournament, the players underwent an extensive training camp in Canberra and played friendly matches in the United States and Costa Rica, which offered them valuable experience and insight into diverse playing styles.
The coaching staff observed that the players were particularly surprised by the level of support and resources available to teams from different countries. They noted the contrast between the large coaching and support staff seen abroad and their own lean team composition of a coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist, and doctor.
Most of the squad members are based in Fiji, with many also part of the senior team at this year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Recent additions from the Fijian diaspora in the U.S., including 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans player Talei Moodie, have bolstered the team.
Nainima expressed a sense of relief at how smoothly the integration of Moodie went, noting that the players bonded quickly, making her feel welcome and contributing positively to the team’s dynamic.
The Young Kulas will play their inaugural World Cup match against Brazil at 11 am Fiji time on Sunday, September 1, followed by matches against Canada on Wednesday, September 4, at 1 pm, and France on Saturday, September 7, at 10 am.