The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history as the first ever women’s side to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup at any level when they take on Brazil tomorrow in their first match of pool B.
The side is pooled alongside Brazil, France and Canada.
Young Kulas assistant coach Annette Nainima says the team is both excited and nervous for for the challenge ahead as for the majority of them just watch the Women Under-20 World Cup on TV and then they all choose their favourite teams and cheer for them.
Nainima says now to play against a team like Brazil and Canada, it is something big for them.
Fiji qualified for the U-20 Women’s World Cup after finishing as runners up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship.
Nainima says this was an “eye-opening” education for the team, Nainima explained as they managed to see the different playing styles of all different types of teams in different areas around the world.
She says the team normally stick to certain formations back at home, so going to a different country altogether and seeing the different styles of play and probably see their coaches, their technical team, most of the players were shocked.
Fiji will play Brazil at 11am tomorrow, before meeting Canada at 1pm Wednesday, and then take on France at 10am next Saturday in their final pool match.
