Fiji’s women’s football coach Angeline Chua has expressed an understanding of the challenges ahead as the team prepares for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. This marks a historic milestone for the Young Kulas, as they have become the first Fijian women’s team to compete on a global stage, establishing themselves as a significant rising force in regional football.
In the tournament, Fiji is placed in a challenging group alongside prominent teams like Brazil, France, and Canada. Chua emphasized the importance of faith and self-belief as the team aims to perform at their best in front of an international audience.
In a conversation with FIFA, Chua acknowledged the tough competition their team will face. “We are realistic and we know how difficult it will be,” she said, noting that all their opponents are ranked among the top ten at the senior level.
Chua highlighted the significance of this opportunity for Fiji, stating, “It’s better to be Fiji coming out of Oceania rather than other nations, such as New Caledonia, which we defeated to qualify for this World Cup. Our players have this chance despite knowing the tough opponents that lie ahead.”
The Young Kulas earned their place after finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, experiencing initial disappointment due to Oceania only securing one qualification spot for the World Cup. However, the expansion of the tournament provided Fiji with an additional opportunity to compete in Medellin.
With a squad primarily made up of local players, Chua will look to the three overseas members to enhance the team’s prospects. One of those players, Talei Moodie, is currently making waves in college football in the United States, providing the squad with additional talent.
Following a close defeat in a recent warm-up match against Costa Rica, expectations have risen for Fiji’s performance in Colombia. Nevertheless, Chua is ensuring that the team maintains realistic goals as they approach their first tournament at this level.
“We’ve been training since April to accomplish our dreams and expectations, but we have to be realistic,” Chua stated. The coach elaborated on their two key objectives: to score their first goal in the tournament and to hold their opponents without conceding for as long as possible. Recognizing their likely defensive stance during matches, Chua emphasized the importance of preparation in this area.
Chua further reflected on the overall challenge, acknowledging that even established teams such as New Zealand only recently secured their first victory in a senior World Cup match. “To say that we want to win a match may be an unrealistic goal,” she added, highlighting the long journey that comes with achieving success in international football.
Fiji’s opening match is against Brazil on Sunday at 11 AM, followed by a game against Canada on September 4 at 1 PM, and they will conclude their group stage with a match against France on September 7 at 1 PM. The Fijian squad includes players such as Meresaini Waqali, Ema Mereaia, and Talei Moodie, among others.