Fiji’s under-20 women’s football team is set to make history as they prepare for their debut at the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia 2024. Unlike many nations that enter World Cups as title contenders, Fiji is approaching this tournament with realism, aware of the daunting challenge that awaits them.
As the first Fijian women’s team to reach a global finals, the Young Kulas are already role models for women’s football in Fiji and are gaining recognition at the regional level. However, their journey onto the international stage becomes even more challenging with a group that includes heavyweights Brazil, Canada, and France.
With the tournament just days away, head coach Angeline Chua expressed her excitement and acknowledged the difficulties ahead. “We are realistic and we know how difficult it will be,” she noted, adding, “I think we’re in the toughest group for sure where all the teams we’re playing are ranked inside the top ten.”
Chua emphasized the significance of Fiji’s participation, highlighting that it is better for Fiji to represent Oceania than other nations they defeated to qualify for the World Cup, such as New Caledonia. After a painful finish as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U19 Women’s Championship, Fiji was granted a spot in Colombia following an expansion of the tournament.
The squad boasts a majority of domestic players, with 18 out of 21 based in Fiji. Chua hopes that the three overseas players can bring added skill to the team. Among them, Talei Moodie, who has been performing well in college football in the U.S., could provide a crucial boost.
A narrow loss to Costa Rica in a recent warm-up game has fueled hopes that Fiji can compete well in the tournament. Nonetheless, Chua is keeping expectations measured. “We’ve been training since April to find a way to meet our dreams and expectations but we have to be realistic as to where we are at,” she explained.
Fiji has set two targets for the tournament: scoring their first goal and keeping opponents from scoring for as long as possible. Chua anticipates that they may spend much of the match defending but remains focused on instilling teamwork and resilience.
This moment is significant not only for Fiji but also for Chua, who began her football journey searching for a local club as a teenager. She has since built a career that includes coaching in the Seychelles and now leading the Young Kulas.
Chua acknowledged the hardships associated with competing on the world stage, especially for teams from regions like Oceania. Recognizing the long journey ahead for Fiji, she maintained a focused perspective: “Our main aim is to keep the scoreline as low as we can for as long as possible and to work together on the pitch.”