There is a community group on Facebook popular with Philippine football fans, titled “Gusto kong makita ang Azkals sa World Cup bago ako mamatay.”
Translated, it means that the group’s wish is for the Philippine Men’s National Football team to participate in the FIFA World Cup before one’s demise.
While the men’s team still has its work cut out for them in that regard, the good news is that their female counterparts are one step ahead and are actually in the World Cup proper, having qualified for the first time ever.
But truth be told, this was a long time coming.
In 2017, the Filipinas were beaten by Thailand in the World Cup qualifying tournament, essentially extinguishing the country’s hopes of making our debut appearance in the tournament.
In 2022, however, the Philippines exacted revenge on this very same Thailand, winning 1-0 in the group stages over our more exalted neighbours en-route to a semi-finals appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and an outright berth to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Some might dismiss the Philippines’ qualification as a fluke, saying that the pathway to qualification was eased by the expansion of the Women’s World Cup to accommodate 32 teams, and with powerhouses Australia (hosts) and North Korea not in the equation, the path did ease somewhat.
But we cannot take anything away from the performance of the players, who bucked the raging COVID-19 pandemic and used a three-month training camp to get in shape ahead of the qualifying tournament.
And at the heart of that training camp and leading the charge, was the experienced Alen Stajcic.
The former Australia coach, who qualified the Matildas for two FIFA Women’s World Cup and a quarter-finals appearance in the Olympics, was the right man to lead the charge for the Filipinas.
After realising the team’s strengths and weaknesses in camp, he set up the Philippines as an organised and tough squad to beat.
His tournament management of his players has been excellent, and his astute tactics and brilliant player management has led to the team buying into his system and believing in him, which has led to exemplary results on the pitch, including a bronze medal in the 2022 SEA Games and a championship in the 2022 AFF Championships held in Manila.
The large Filipino-American population in the US has always been a source of players for the Philippines women’s team, with Hali Long and the McDaniel sisters, Olivia and Chandler, being worthy examples.
This pool has been reinforced by astute additions from the world over, with the likes of Sara Eggesvik (Norway), Jackie Sawicki (Canada) and Angie Beard (Australia) among the more notable names.
The rise of the team has gone hand in hand with the support from team manager Jefferson Cheng, and together with the coaching staff, they have formed a very disciplined and organized team on the field – one that may have the capability to get results against teams ranked much higher.
Stajcic has moulded the team into a very resolute unit, one that is disciplined to keep its shape and has the ability frustrate opponents, such that few will go up against the Philippines and expect things to be easy.
On the offensive end, it will be expected that the Philippines will rely on counter-attacks to get into the scoresheet, but to do that, the likes of wingers Katrina Guillou and Quinley Quezada have to be quick, accurate and have got to take their chances whenever presented – and it will be presumed they won’t get too many.
Embed from Getty ImagesAgainst Southeast Asian opposition, the Filipinas are able to flex their physical superiority in set pieces, often using aerial superiority to convert chances into goals against smaller opponents.
At the World Cup, this might not be the case.
In the build-up to the World Cup, former Japan captain Aya Miyama told The Asian Game that debuting teams like the Philippines might be in for ‘a surprise’, given the level of physicality of the opponents.
But if there’s anything about Alen Stajcic teams, it is that they will be well drilled on all possible scenarios on and off the pitch.
The Philippines is thrilled to make this World Cup dream a reality, but make no mistake, the Philippines will not be in New Zealand simply to make up the numbers. While the odds may be firmly stacked against the team, they will go in with an inner self-belief that they can achieve great things.
Despite being ranked at an all-time high 46th in the world, the Filipinas will still be ultimate underdogs against much higher ranked Switzerland (20th), New Zealand (26th) and Norway (12th).
But the never say die attitude in the group, combined with the quiet confidence that the team has cultivated over the months of training across the globe mean that while improbable, nothing is impossible with this group of motivated women, who have a chance to add their names to Philippine football folklore.
Stajcic sums it up very well: “We have raised the bar so high in the last 18 months, none of us will put a ceiling on how high that bar can go.”
THE COACH – ALEN STAJCIC
The former Matildas’ coach initially came into the Philippines’ setup on a three-month contract in late 2021, with the aim of qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup via a good showing in the 2022 AFC Asian Cup.
But, not only did Stajcic secure qualification for the Philippines to the World Cup, he did so without having to go through the play-offs, only falling in the semi-finals to South Korea.
This is down in large part to Stajcic’s leadership and tactical acumen. His tournament player management skills are legendary, as is his player management skills, with the players themselves coming out to express their gratitude towards their coach.
Joint record goal scorer Quinley Quezada tells Optus Sport: “His presence has been monumental for the team, for the federation, for the Philippines in general; his coaching has changed us so much in every way possible.”
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had. He adapts to each player, and he’s able to bring the best out of us.”
“He’s brought on so much organization and professionalism, everything that we need to become a top national team.”
Having led Australia before to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, he knows what this tournament is all about and this previous experience in the biggest stage will be essential to prepare the debuting Philippines ahead of the biggest tournament for women’s football.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sarina Bolden (Forward)
The emotional leader of the team, the ever-vocal Sarina Bolden is the face of the Filipinas’ attack and will be a marked woman in the tournament.
Getting much needed playing time with her move to Western Sydney Wanderers at the start of the year, Bolden brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the game and her infectious dynamism will be important to the team’s chances.
She is at her best when she plays up top, and can hold the ball up and be a target for long balls from the back.
To add to her joint record tally of 22 goals, she has to be clinical in front of goal in the tournament – a challenge she will undoubtedly cherish.
Katrina Guillou (Forward)
Her compatriot Sarina Bolden usually gets the headlines, but it is Katrina Guillou’s wily runs that will cause havoc in the flanks for the Philippines’ opponents in the tournament.
Playing for Swedish side Piteå IF, she was only one among a handful of Filipinas’ with club experience prior to the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and she has used this match sharpness to great effect as she played an integral role in the Filipinas attacking third.
Able to play in the wings or as an out and out striker, Guillou will be key in any Stajcic’s counter-attacking strategy in the World Cup when she uses her speed and quickness.
Hali Long (Defender)
She has been with the team since 2016, and is the bedrock of the Philippines defence. One of the captains of the team together with Tahnai Annis, Long is set to add to her record 74 caps for her country in this FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Never one to back down from a challenge, she has used her physicality to great effect and the team will look to her for leadership at the back.
Her stabilising presence in the heart of the Filipinas’ defence is extremely important for the Philippines chances in keeping that sought after clean sheet.
Her record of 18 goals shows that she is a threat in front of goal as well, but it is at the back where she will be relied on most by her country.
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