The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas faced a 2-0 loss against a proficient Costa Rican team this morning, as part of their preparation for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Costa Rica, positioned 42nd in the global rankings, gradually established dominance in the match, breaking through Fiji’s sturdy defense in the 41st minute to secure a 1-0 lead by halftime.
In the second half, Costa Rica netted another goal from a corner kick, while Fiji, ranked 72nd, found it difficult to create significant attacking chances. The best opportunities for Fiji arose from set pieces, including a noteworthy free kick that challenged Costa Rica’s defense.
Fiji’s head coach, Angeline Chua, highlighted the significance of this match for the team’s progress. “Competing against Costa Rica provided us with the opportunity to experience a different playing style and allowed us to pinpoint areas for improvement ahead of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Despite the outcome, the experience against such high-caliber opponents will greatly benefit our players,” she stated.
The Young Kulas will next prepare for a friendly match against Morocco, ranked 59th, who also experienced a 2-0 defeat against Costa Rica.