The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas faced a challenging friendly match against Costa Rica, resulting in a 0-2 defeat yesterday. This encounter was an important part of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, offering critical insights as they prepare for the global tournament next week.
Both teams started the match energetically, but Costa Rica, currently ranked 42nd in the world, gradually gained control and secured two goals to clinch the victory. Head coach Angeline Chua highlighted the importance of this match in their training process.
“Facing Costa Rica allowed us to adapt to a different playing style and identify areas for improvement before the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup next week,” Chua said. “Despite the outcome, the exposure to top-tier opposition will greatly benefit our players in their development.”
In a similar vein, Morocco, which is Fiji’s next opponent, also suffered a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica last week. This sets the stage for an important match-up between the Young Kulas and Morocco, as both teams are eager to recover from their recent defeats and refine their strategies.
The team plans to conduct a thorough analysis of the match with the players to draw valuable lessons and insights. The Young Kulas are scheduled to face Morocco, ranked 59th, in their next friendly match today. Fiji has been placed in the same group as France, Brazil, and Canada for the World Cup.