The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history tomorrow as the first Fijian women’s team to compete in a FIFA World Cup, taking to the field in Colombia. The team, coached by Angeline Chua, will face Brazil at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.
This challenging debut places Fiji in Group B, alongside France and Canada, and assistant coach Annette Nainima expressed that the team is feeling both excitement and nerves. Many players have only watched the Under-20 Women’s World Cup on television and now find themselves facing top-tier teams like Brazil and Canada.
Fiji’s journey to the World Cup began in October when FIFA expanded the U-20 Women’s World Cup from 16 to 24 teams. The team previously competed in the OFC qualifying tournament, finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in July. The expansion allowed Fiji to join New Zealand in Colombia.
Nainima noted the significant support from their federation, with enthusiasm shown by their CEO, who ensured that the team received the best preparation possible. The squad undertook a rigorous training camp in Canberra, followed by pre-tournament matches in the USA and Costa Rica, which provided valuable international experience.
This preparatory phase was eye-opening for the players, as they witnessed various playing styles from different countries. Nainima remarked on the contrast between Fiji’s limited resources and the more extensive support structures of other teams, which was a surprising revelation for many members of the squad.
Most of the Young Kulas are based in Fiji, with many of them also part of the senior squad for the recent Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The team has also welcomed new talents from the Fijian diaspora in the US, including 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans’ player Talei Moodie.
Integrating new players posed a challenge for the coaching staff, particularly with Moodie joining late in the preparation. However, Nainima reported that the players welcomed her seamlessly, forming friendships quickly and contributing positively to the team’s dynamics.
Fiji’s first match against Brazil is set for 11 am on Sunday, September 1, followed by games against Canada on Wednesday, September 4, at 1 pm and France on Saturday, September 7, at 10 am, all in Fiji time.