Young Kulas coach Angeline Chua expressed her satisfaction with the team’s defensive performance despite their recent 0-2 loss to Morocco in a friendly match. Looking ahead to their upcoming opening match in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup against Brazil on September 1, Chua noted several positives from the game that the team can build upon.
The Young Kulas managed to maintain a scoreless draw for more than an hour, a marked improvement compared to their previous outing against Costa Rica, where they conceded goals in the first half. Chua praised the team’s compactness in the first half, which helped to thwart Morocco’s scoring attempts.
Other players stepped up effectively when central defender Angeline Rekha exited the match due to a concussion. “We executed our defensive plan well, which was crucial against a team like Morocco. The fact that we held the score at nil-all for over an hour, especially after losing Angeline, shows that we are making progress,” Chua remarked.
However, the team needs to enhance their game fitness and mental resilience, especially as fatigue began to affect their performance in the second half, leading to gaps that allowed Morocco to score. Chua acknowledged the short recovery time after the match, indicating it was a challenging lesson for the team.
As they prepare for the World Cup, the Young Kulas are determined to sharpen their defensive strategies, particularly against high-caliber opponents. “We’ll continue to focus defensively; given the strength of Brazil, France, and Canada, our Group B rivals, we’ll also work on seizing goal-scoring opportunities. We know it’s going to be a tough tournament, but we are committed to giving our best,” she stated.