The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas faced a significant setback in their friendly match against Costa Rica, suffering a 0-2 defeat yesterday. This match served as a key element in their preparations for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, offering essential insights as they ready themselves for the global tournament next week.
From the start, both teams exhibited a competitive energy; however, as the game progressed, Costa Rica, ranked 42nd globally, began to assert dominance and netted two goals to clinch the victory.
Head coach Angeline Chua highlighted the importance of this game for their preparatory efforts. “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 remarked. “Despite the outcome, exposure to high-caliber teams will be tremendously beneficial for our players’ development.”
In a similar vein, Morocco, who will be the Young Kulas’ next opponent, also fell to Costa Rica with a 2-0 scoreline last week. This sets up an important confrontation between Fiji and Morocco, with both teams eager to recover from their recent defeats and refine their strategies.
The Young Kulas will conduct a thorough analysis of their match performance with the players to draw important lessons moving forward. They are scheduled to face Morocco, ranked 59th, in another friendly match today. Fiji has been drawn into a group with France, Brazil, and Canada for the World Cup.