The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas faced a 2-0 defeat against a skilled Costa Rican team this morning as part of their preparation for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Costa Rica, currently ranked 42nd worldwide, steadily dominated the match, managing to breach Fiji’s sturdy defense to score in the 41st minute, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Costa Rica extended their advantage with a second goal from a corner kick, while Fiji, ranked 72nd, found it challenging to create substantial attacking opportunities.
Fiji’s most promising attempts came from set pieces, including a notable free kick that tested the Costa Rican defense.
Head coach Angeline Chua highlighted the significance of the match for the team’s growth. She stated, “Playing against Costa Rica allowed us to experience a different style of play and pinpoint areas for improvement before the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Although we did not win, the exposure to such high-quality opposition will greatly benefit our players.”
The Young Kulas will now shift their focus to their upcoming friendly against Morocco, ranked 59th, who also suffered a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica.