The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas faced a 2-0 defeat against a disciplined Costa Rican team this morning as part of their preparation for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Ranked 42nd globally, Costa Rica asserted control over the match, breaking through Fiji’s stout defense to score in the 41st minute, ending the first half at 1-0.
In the second half, Costa Rica scored again from a corner kick, while Fiji, currently ranked 72nd, struggled to create significant attacking opportunities. Fiji’s most promising chances came from set pieces, including a notable free kick that challenged the Costa Rican defense.
Head coach Angeline Chua highlighted the match’s significance for the team’s growth. She stated, “Playing against Costa Rica provided us with the opportunity to experience a different style of play and helped us pinpoint areas for improvement ahead of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Despite the outcome, the exposure to such high-quality opponents will greatly benefit our players.”
The Young Kulas are now looking ahead to their next friendly match against Morocco, who is ranked 59th and also lost 2-0 to Costa Rica.