Coach Hails Kula’s Performance

The Labasa women’s football coach, Arthur Simmons, has ap­plauded the national women’s team for a gallant performance during the OFC Women’s Nations Cup compe­tition.

Simmons is one of the most success­ful women’s football coach in the coun­try.

The Fijians lost 2-1 to Papua New Guinea, in the final, last Saturday night, at the HFC Bank National Sta­dium in Suva.

Simmons was happy his player and striker, Cema Nasau, scooped the Play­er of the Tournament award.

He said other players like Captain Sofi Diyalowai, Jotivini Tabua, and Anasimeci Volitikoro, played a vital role in the team’s final appearance.

“Women’s football is heading in the right direction and the national coach, Lisa Cole, has definitely a plan in place so we can realize our full potential in the sport,” Simmons said.

The Labasa women’s side is currently the best-ranked district in the Digicel Women’s Super League and this was visible in the national team’s line-up.

Simmons said the loss to PNG is a learning experience for the side and they must iron out their errors if they are to be competitive in future OFC competitions.

He also wished PNG women’s side all the best as they attempt to secure one of the three qualification spots avail­able for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, next year.

The no-nonsense coach believes the experience gained by his players in the tournament would boost their per­formance when the Super League re­sumes.

“Hope this transpires into our district team and motivates other aspiring and talented women’s footballers to don the national jumper in the future,” he said.

The national side equaled their best performance in the competition’s his­tory, after, being runners-up to New Zealand in the 2018 edition, where they lost 8-0.

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