Fiji’s women’s under-20 football team is set to make history as it prepares for its debut at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia 2024. The Young Kulas, aware of the immense challenges ahead, are determined to make strides on the global stage despite knowing they are up against formidable opponents.
As the first Fijian women’s team to qualify for a global finals, the Young Kulas are seen as pioneers in their country and are emerging as a competitive force in Oceania. However, they face a daunting task in their group stage, having been drawn alongside powerhouse teams Brazil, Canada, and France.
With the tournament just days away, head coach Angeline Chua expressed her excitement about the opportunity for Fiji to compete internationally. “We’re realistic and we know how difficult it will be,” Chua acknowledged, emphasizing the strength of their opponents who are all ranked within the top ten at the senior level.
After finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U19 Women’s Championship, Fiji initially faced disappointment, but the expansion of the tournament provided them a chance to compete in Colombia. Out of their 21 players, 18 are based in Fiji, while the inclusion of three overseas players could enhance their squad’s competitiveness.
Despite a recent narrow loss to Costa Rica in a warm-up match that raised hopes for their performance, Chua is encouraging the team to approach the tournament with measured expectations. The team’s goals include scoring their first-ever goal in the tournament and holding opponents at bay for as long as possible, understanding that they may spend the majority of matches defending.
Chua, originally from Singapore, has had an unexpected football journey that has led her to this significant moment for both herself and Fiji. She began playing football at 16 and has since pursued a decade-long career in the sport, which included a successful coaching stint in the Seychelles.
The Fiji team is aware of the challenges ahead, recognizing that even nations like New Zealand, which has been competing for years, have only recently achieved victory at the senior World Cup level. The Young Kulas are focusing on resilience, teamwork, and maintaining a competitive spirit as they aim to represent Fiji with pride on this international stage.