The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history by becoming the first Fijian women’s football team to participate in a FIFA World Cup event, taking the field in Colombia tomorrow. Coached by Angeline Chua, the team will face the formidable Brazil at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.
The Young Kulas have been placed in a challenging Group B, which also includes France and Canada. Assistant coach Annette Nainima expressed that the team feels both “excited and nervous” about this significant event. “Most of these players have only watched the Under-20 Women’s World Cup on TV, cheering for their favorite teams, and now they will be playing against teams like Brazil and Canada, which is a monumental opportunity for them,” she noted.
Fiji’s journey to the World Cup began last October following FIFA’s expansion of the U-20 Women’s World Cup format from 16 to 24 teams. The team secured their spot after finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship held in July. The tournament’s expansion ultimately allowed Fiji to join New Zealand in the upcoming World Cup.
Nainima highlighted the significant support from their federation back home. “Our CEO was particularly enthusiastic, ensuring that we have the best resources for this journey,” she said. To prepare for the tournament, the Kulas have participated in comprehensive training camps, including stops in Canberra, the United States, and Costa Rica for friendly matches. Nainima described this experience as an “eye-opening” education, allowing the team to witness various playing styles from around the globe.
The team discovered that they normally adhere to specific formations in Fiji, and the exposure to different styles and coaching methods abroad was astonishing for the players. Nainima remarked on the contrast between their setup and those of the teams they observed, saying that it was impressive for the girls to see the level of support and resources available to other teams.
Most of the Young Kulas players are based in Fiji, with many also part of the senior squad for the recent Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The team also aimed to bolster their roster with players from the Fijian diaspora in the US, including 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans player Talei Moodie, who recently joined the squad.
Nainima noted that integrating new players was a priority for the coaching staff, particularly regarding Moodie, who was one of the last additions to the team. However, they were pleasantly surprised when she arrived at the airport, as the players bonded quickly, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company.
Fiji’s first match in the World Cup will be against Brazil at 11 am on Sunday, September 1, followed by matches against Canada at 1 pm on Wednesday, September 4, and France at 10 am on Saturday, September 7 (all times in Fiji).