The Fiji Under-16 Girls football team will depart for Samoa on July 29th to compete in the OFC Under-16 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Marika Rodu says this is a major opportunity for the young players to showcase their skills, apply what they have learned during training, and aim for a spot at next year’s World Cup.
He says they have had three weeks of preparation and are now in the fourth and final week.
He adds there are still areas to improve, but this is just the beginning of their journey, and as they move forward, the players will only grow stronger.
Rodu says that some of the girls may progress to the U19 squad and eventually break into the senior women’s national team.
He emphasised that international exposure and competition are crucial for their development.
Meanwhile, the Under19 Girls team will travel to Tahiti in mid-August for their own World Cup qualifiers.
Fiji FA President Patel says that a local coach will likely accompany the squad, as the association continues to assess the performance of the current national women’s team coach.
