Fiji’s U-16 head coach Marika Rodu reflected on his team’s performance at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, where they secured a fifth-place finish. Although they did not progress to the semi-finals, Rodu praised the resilience and determination displayed by his players.
“I know we were out of the competition already, but that did not dampen our spirits. We learned from our three pool games. The match against the Solomon Islands could have gone either way, but the girls really wanted to finish the tournament on a positive note, and I appreciate their effort,” Rodu stated.
He emphasized the valuable learning experiences the tournament provided, noting that Samoa’s performance set a high standard. “There was a lot of learning for the girls from this competition. Samoa has established a benchmark with their impressive ball movement and defensive strategies,” he added.
Rodu also expressed gratitude towards the fans for their unwavering support, acknowledging the effort they made to travel from distant locations. “I thank the fans for all their support; I know they have traveled from afar, and the girls truly enjoyed their presence,” he concluded.