Fiji’s Coach Angeline Chua acknowledges the challenges ahead as the team prepares for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. This marks a historic moment as the Young Kulas become the first Fijian women’s team to compete at a world stage tournament, establishing themselves as a burgeoning force in regional women’s football.
The team finds themselves in a formidable group alongside top-tier nations Brazil, France, and Canada, and will depend on confidence and determination to perform well in front of an international audience. In a conversation with FIFA, Chua expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s leading teams.
“We are realistic and we know how difficult it will be,” Chua stated. “I think we’re in the toughest group for sure, as all the teams we will face are ranked in the top ten globally.”
Chua emphasized the importance of this opportunity for Fiji, noting that it is better to represent the Oceania region than other nations that the team has recently defeated in qualifying matches. Although the Young Kulas finished as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship and initially missed out on qualification, an expansion of the tournament has allowed Fiji to compete in Medellin.
With the majority of the squad based in Fiji, Chua looks to their three international players to enhance the team’s quality, particularly highlighting Talei Moodie’s impressive performances in U.S. college football.
A recent narrow defeat to Costa Rica in a warm-up match has raised expectations for the team’s competitiveness. However, Chua remains grounded, reminding the squad to maintain realistic goals.
“We’ve been training since April to align with our dreams, but we must be aware of our current standing,” she said. “We have set two primary targets: to score our first goal in the tournament and to hold opponents at bay for as long as possible without conceding.”
Chua recognizes the steep learning curve, noting that even more experienced teams struggle at this level. “To declare that we want to win a match or reach the knockout stage might be unrealistic,” she remarked. “Our primary aim is to keep the scoreline close and demonstrate resilience and teamwork on the pitch.”
Fiji’s first match is against Brazil on Sunday at 11 a.m., followed by games against Canada on Wednesday, September 4, at 1 p.m., and France on September 7 at 1 p.m.
The Fijian squad includes: Meresaini Waqali, Ema Mereaia, Adi Bakaniceva, Seruwaia Laulaba, Caroline Qalivere, Talei Moodie, Kasanita Tabua, Preeya Singh, Narieta Leba, Elesi Tabunase, Sereana Naweni, Pijila Kilawaca, Sonia Alfred, Adi Naiveli, Asela Cokanasiga, Evivi Buka, Asenaca Naio, Katarina Nailele, Angeline Rekha, Aliana Vakaloloma, and Emily Esposito.