The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history tomorrow in Colombia, becoming the first Fijian women’s team to participate in a FIFA World Cup event. The squad, coached by Angeline Chua, will face the formidable Brazilian team at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.
Assigned to Group B, the Kulas will compete against world-class teams including France and Canada, along with their opening match against Brazil. Assistant coach Annette Nainima mentioned that the players are feeling both excitement and nerves. “For many of them, they’ve only watched the Women’s Under-20 World Cup on television and cheered for their favorite teams. Now, playing against a team like Brazil and Canada is a significant experience for them,” she stated.
Fiji’s journey to the World Cup began in October when FIFA expanded the U-20 Women’s World Cup from 16 to 24 teams. The team qualified by finishing as runners-up to New Zealand during the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in July, securing a spot alongside New Zealand in Colombia.
Nainima highlighted the support from their federation back home, noting the CEO’s enthusiasm in ensuring they had the best preparations. The team has been rigorously preparing for the tournament, including a camp in Canberra and friendly matches in the USA and Costa Rica prior to heading to Colombia.
“This has been an eye-opening experience for the team. We encountered various playing styles from different countries,” Nainima added. She observed that the players were surprised by the coaching structures of other teams, especially in contrast to their own, which includes just a coach, an assistant coach, a physio, and a doctor.
The majority of the Young Kulas players are based in Fiji, with many also part of the senior squad from this year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The team sought to enhance their roster by incorporating talents from the Fijian diaspora in the US, adding 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans player Talei Moodie to the fold in recent weeks.
Nainima admitted the coaching staff was initially focused on the integration process, especially with the late addition of Moodie. However, she was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the new player connected with the team. “When we met her at the airport, it felt like the girls had known her for ages as they instantly bonded, sharing stories and singing together,” she shared. “Her integration has been seamless, and she adds a lot to the team.”
Fiji’s opening match against Brazil is scheduled for 11 AM on Sunday, September 1, followed by a match against Canada at 1 PM on Wednesday, September 4, and then a clash against France at 10 AM on Saturday, September 7, all in Fiji time.