Philippines Football Thread II[R]

Group stage records broken, but Philippines remain focused on World Cup prize

The last week has been nothing short of historic for the Philippines Women’s national football team.

After Chandler McDaniel scored in the 81st minute against Thailand last Friday, they were able to defeat their rivals for the first time.

A 6-0 victory against Indonesia on Thursday saw them collect their most wins in a single tournament, record their biggest AFC Asian Cup victory and concede their least amount of goals in a group stage.

Whilst every record broken in this dominant fashion is one that is important and should be celebrated, there in one first that will make coach Alen Stajcic and his team the proudest.

With their 6-0 victory, the team from Southeast Asia was able to make the knockout rounds of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

Whilst they were able to make the fifth-place playoff last tournament, this is the first time that they head to the knockout phase still in the hunt for the cup itself.

Whilst the group stage was an incredible success, there is one final record that everyone inside the camp, alongside supporters around the world, would like to break in the next week.

They want to achieve what they set out to do all the way back in October at the beginning of their training camp, qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The victory against Indonesia saw them seal second place in Group B, meaning that Chinese Taipei is their quarter-final opponent.

A victory in this match will see them achieve their goal, whilst a loss could see them play South Korea or partake in a round robin qualification tournament.

For Stajcic, the confidence is certainly there that this team can not only win their quarter-final and qualify for the World Cup, but also continue on in the competition for potential gold.

Looking ahead to their game against Chinese Taipei, Stajcic knows that it will be one of their hardest fixtures to date, with both teams likely to feel the pressure considering the prize of victory.

He is, however, full of confidence after seeing his side constantly improve over just the last three matches.

“This team just keeps raising the bar,” he said.

“I think for both teams, Chinese Taipei haven’t been to a World Cup for a very long time. I think it is going to be a really even game.”

For captain Tahnai Annis, who herself scored two long-range goals on Thursday night to seal second place, it’s crucial that her side remains calm heading into the second phase of the competition.

“We need to stay present in the moment,” she said.

“We just need to remember all of the things that we have accomplished so far, take that with us and run with it.”

When asked about the source of this recent success and the excitement levels heading into the knockout rounds, Annis was quick to point out, amongst other things, the large amount of time that the team has spent as a squad.

In total, they have amassed over three months between their training camp and the tournament itself, meaning the success so far and the prospect of further triumph means so much more.

“We have been blessed to have the opportunity to have so much quality time together. It’s the most that we have ever had, and it really shows,” she said.

“I just think everyone is really excited.”

After the success of the group stages, the belief is rife amongst the Philippines squad that a World Cup position is certainly attainable.

No matter if it needs to come via defeating Chinese Taipei, South Korea or anyone else, the confidence is there that they can achieve their ultimate goal.

thefootballsack.com.au/2022/01/group-stage-records-broken-but-philippines-remain-focused-on-world-cup-prize.html

 

The Philippine team to the 2022 Women's Asian Cup kind of reminds me of the US national team team prior to the 1994 World Cup. The US team under a Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic didn't have an established professional league back then to draw players from so they brought together a bunch of college all stars and US heritage pro players from abroad and trained them like a professional club giving them the time to gel that national teams normally do not have with regular friendlies to keep them sharp allowing them to become competitive enough by the the time the World Cup was held to get out of the group stage losing only to Brazil 0-1 in the knockout stages.

The Philippines (which only has an amateur women's league and colleges to draw players from at home both of which unfortunately was suspended the past 2 years due to COVID) has only been together for a few months(since November) but Coach Stajcic(also of Serbian heritage) has succeeded in molding a united organized competitive unit out of a bunch of mostly amateur college and elite high school recruits with a few pro players(playing for clubs in Europe and Japan) added in a very short period of time allowing them to be competitive against international teams manned mostly by professional players. Their friendlies consisted of playing against top amateur and semi pro clubs in California many of which had international level national team CONCACAF players(Mexico, El Salvador, etc.) among them.

The Philippines also had a large number of players(100+) tryout at the beginning of training camp in November mostly from elite high school and current NCAA players and graduates as well as the few Philippine based national team players who managed to hurdle rigorous COVID travel restrictions to make it to training camp in California allowing for some intense internal competition between the players at camp with gradual cuts(described by one of the national team players who made the final cut as placing them on edge all the time) paring down the final roster to the final 23.

Now that they are at the cusp of qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup next year, I hope they can keep the team together. As one of the Aussie coaches said he believes that this team is competitive and good enough to give a good account of itself even at the World Cup.

 

Philippines had to go to OT and PK but wins it on sudden death PK. Taiwan missed the final 3 PKs. Philippine goalkeeper even scored a PK.

Congrats Philippines! They qualify for the very first time to the FIFA Women's World Cup. Mission accomplished.

Well deserved win in my opinion as they dominated the stats. 25-11(13-3 on target) in shots and 56-44 in possession.

Hopefully this has the same impact for football in their country as the 1994 WC did for the US finally giving the sport the boost they needed to elevate interest in the game in a country where basketball gets all the attention and the funding.

Next up S Korea in the semifinals of the Women's Asian Cup.

 

Scenes in Pune.

🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭#LabanFilipinas#ParaSaBayan#RememberTheGoal#WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/AoPOSjPNlU

— Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) January 30, 2022

 

Mission complete – Philippines book World Cup ticket after shootout heroics

Three months ago when the Philippines Women’s national team were training daily in Orange County, the dream of making it to a World Cup drove them to continue growing and improving as a squad.

Fast forward to Sunday night and that same team has done exactly that, when off the back of Olivia McDaniel’s penalty heroics they booked themselves a place in the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals and the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Whilst there were numerous stand-out performances throughout the evening from the likes of Sarina Bolden, Katrina Guillou and Dominique Randle, it was ultimately McDaniel who was able to make the biggest moment her own.

After conceding in the 82nd minute against a goal of the tournament contender from Zhuo Li-ping, the young keeper was called upon to win the most important penalty shootout in the country’s history.

To add to this pressure, Sunday’s game was just her fourth cap for the national team, something she hid exceptionally well throughout the shootout.

After not making a save from the first three penalties, the goalkeeper was given some assistance when Yi-Yun Hsu missed the fourth penalty to tie the match.

After captain Hali Long couldn’t convert her shot, the pressure was on McDaniel, with the equation simple. Make the save to keep the shootout alive, fail and they are out of the tournament.

For McDaniel, the confidence was there despite only going the right way once in the previous four penalties.

“It’s make or break and you need to show up for your team right now,” she said.

“There was nothing going through my head apart from we are going to make this save, and it clearly worked out that way.”

To everyone’s shock after making the save, the young keeper would then go and pick up the ball to take the crucial fifth penalty, with the pressure to keep the shootout alive again resting soley on her shoulders.

For McDaniel she felt minimal pressure when taking the shot, even less than when she was in goals.

“To be honest I was more nervous to stop the penalty then take it,” she said.

“I’ve been hitting penalties forever and I get no nerves when I go up and take them. I know that it’s going to go in the back of the net.”

After blasting her penalty into the bottom-left corner, the US-based keeper made yet another stop on Chinese Taipei’s sixth penalty, before Sarina Bolden was able to emphatically seal the deal.

For coach Alen Stajcic, the penalty heroics were well earned after an impressive debut tournament from the shot-stopper, who has played all matches except for their group game against Australia.

“We have just played eight halves and for six of those we haven’t conceded. That’s a remarkable and phenomenal achievement and Olivia leads that line,” he said.

“To only have one cap under her belt before this tournament but to still show that composure and maturity. She was taking the fifth penalty, to have that amount of bravery in that moment and step up for the team, an unbelievable performance.”

Whilst it was McDaniel who stood out, for Stajcic it was a team effort and one which his whole squad can be proud of contributing to.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement by the group and it’s a moment in history for the country,” he said.

“No-one can take that away from the group. The team is so proud of each other, and even more proud that we will inspire the next generation.”

When asked about whether he saw this outcome as a possibility when he first met the team in October 2021, the Australian was clear that he always knew that if they played well they were in with a good chance of succeeding.

“I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t see the potential in the squad. Watching them in Jordan four years ago I knew that there was something there, a potential for an extremely inexperienced group, and one that hadn’t really competed at major tournaments,” he said

“For them to progress so quickly I’m running out of superlatives to describe that amazing achievement.”

McDaniel, Stajcic and the entire squad will now head to their maiden World Cup in Australia next year, after turning the dream that they came up with together into reality.

Whilst coach Stajcic was ready to celebrate, he couldn’t help but think ahead to how they could compete against the best at next year’s event.

“I’m greedy and know how much further we have to improve to be competitive when we do get to the World Cup, but that is a discussion for another day,” he said.

The Philippines now come up against Korea Republic in the semi-finals with a spot in their maiden AFC Asian Cup final up for grabs.

https://thefootballsack.com.au/2022...-world-cup-ticket-after-shootout-heroics.html

 

Congrats Mike. It would be a big deal if you can watch the game live in Oz.

I have been reading some of the social media pages in the Philippines and both individuals and groups are already organizing to fly to Australia for the WWC next year to watch the games if the country allows it.

I never thought this would be possible for this to happen in my lifetime but it is finally here.

I am not sure I can make it myself though but it is still a long ways away and I will try.

In the meantime I have been keeping awake in the most ungodly hours here in the US to watch the AFC Women's Asian Cup live on Paramount +.

 

I didn't know you had kids. Do they play soccer? Maybe they can tryout for the girls and women's national team someday?

I posted an article earlier of one of their players Kiara Fontanilla who first encountered the team in California when she was 12 y.o. and wanted to play for them someday.

It took her nearly a decade but now at 21 y.o. she finally got her first cap against the Aussies during the group stage where she performed so impressively that one of the Aussie writers decided to write a human interest story about her long journey on joining the women's national team.

 

FIFA also headlined the Philippines on their website for awhile with an article that included videos linked

https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/wo...-unbelievable-achievement-for-the-philippines

Stajcic: Qualification an unbelievable achievement for the Philippines

• The Philippines qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup yesterday
  
  
• It is the country’s first global finals for either gender
  
  
• Coach Alen Stajcic was full of praise for his players afterwards

Philippines coach Alen Stajcic has hailed his players for the “once-in-a-lifetime” achievement of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

Next year’s showpiece will be the country’s first major global tournament for either men or women, and the Malditas sealed their place the hard way at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, enduring 120 gruelling minutes against Chinese Taipei before prevailing in the nerviest of penalty shootouts.


Bolden's final shot at history ✏️ #WAC2022 | #TPEvPHI pic.twitter.com/Ga1rAsQgbZ

— #WAC2022 (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2022
But the way to that breakthrough success had been paved by group-stage victories over Thailand and Indonesia, the first of which was especially significant, leaving a beaming Stajcic to reflect on taking his place in history.

"It's an unbelievable achievement by the group," enthused the former Australia coach. "It's a moment in history for the country and no one can ever take that away from us. It's a new bar that's been set

"Now every young kid, girl and boy, back in the Philippines knows they can be inspired and get to a World Cup themselves. I know the group is really proud of each other but I know they're even more proud that they've inspired the next generation."


Next up for the Philippines is a semi-final against the Korea Republic team that ousted Australia, Stajcic’s former charges, from the Asian Cup in a significant upset.

The Malditas coach, however, was keen to enjoy the moment before worrying about the formidable challenge that the Taegeuk Nangja will pose.

"I'm not even worried about the semi-final at the moment," he said. "I usually wouldn't say that, but we've just qualified for the World Cup and we're going to enjoy that.

"It's a remarkable achievement - it's a once-in-a-lifetime one that's never been done before. So you just really have to soak up these moments."

Scenes in Pune.

#LabanFilipinas#ParaSaBayan#RememberTheGoal#WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/AoPOSjPNlU

— The Philippine Football Federation (@philfootball) January 30, 2022

 

There are more articles on the bigsoccer PWNT Filipinas Rising page

https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/f...ppines-womens-football-thread.2044996/page-13

 

I see. That is ok. Every Filipino boy plays basketball so that is par for the course and tennis is getting some attention over there as well since a 16 y.o Filipina girl Alex Eala is playing and being trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain and has won a few pro women's tournaments already even at a very young age along the way.

Your mom btw can reapply for dual citizenship again even if she gave it up initially. That means you can apply for dual citizenship as well. Your kids can then apply thru either parent.

 

Also some interesting and funny tweets in reference to Woman of the Match and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel stepping up to take a PK for the team.


Kasalanan nyo 'to @de3ev @pamcie @frankyRAWR
"She wanted to McDo, so she McDid and now it's McDone." #McLegend #LabanFilipinas #WAC2022
/ AFC pic.twitter.com/GmOi67rEHF

— venice (@VenNotBen) January 31, 2022

A message from Boxing Legend, Philippine Presidential Candidate and current Senator Manny Pacquaio to the PWNT

Thank you, @MannyPacquiao for the message for the ladies! We want the @PilipinasWNFT to become as legendary in our sport as you are in yours. #hearHERvoice#TinigFutbolera#LabanFilipinas pic.twitter.com/CQYdMZEmtn

— Philippine Women's Football Association (@PHWomensFA) February 1, 2022

and a host of social media responses from Filipino celebrities and fans

https://www.spin.ph//life/guide/bes...d-cup-slot-a1374-20220131?ref=article_popular

 

I bet they will get offers now though particularly Randle, Long and some of the goaltenders.

The Philippine team might even get invited to a friendly against the US if they continue to do well now that they are a WC team.

I am not surprised they did so well though since apparently in the latter stages of their training camp they were beating NWSL teams regularly that had CONCACAF national team members among them.

 

Philippine-Korea Pre Game Press Conference

https://fb.watch/aWt7VNqCtm/

 

'I can't get distracted by other people's problems': Stajcic refuses to revel in Matildas misery
By Dave Lewis Feb 3 2022 5:21AM
As the charred husk of the Matildas’ Women's Asian Cup campaign lies smouldering, ex-coach Alen Stajcic isn’t gloating over the plight of the nation which contentiously dumped him three years ago.
After this past weekend's AFC Women's Asian Cup Quarter-Finals, the irony, delicious or otherwise, of guiding an unfancied Philippines to the last four in India, whilst the Matildas bombed out, isn’t lost on Stajcic.

Stajcic not gloating

• Former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, controversially dumped three year ago, isn't taking any pleasure from his former team's Asian Cup exit.
• Stajcic is focusing on beating South Korea to take the Women's World Cup-qualified Philippines into Sunday's final.
• The Australian has written his name in Philippines football folklore with the team's glory charge in India.

More news on Aussies Abroad can be found on FTBL.

Privately it might have seemed to him a karmic moment.

But publicly he’s purely focused on masterminding a miracle against the Matildas’ conquerors South Korea on Thursday night in quest of a place in Sunday’s final, having already qualified the Philippines for a first ever Women’s World Cup spot, in his homeland in 2023.

Playing a bat straighter than Allan Border, Stajcic, 48, permitted himself the most fleeting of satirical chuckles when asked if he was conflicted over the Matildas’ untimely exit - a 1-0 loss to the Koreans which heaped opprobrium on head coach Tony Gustavsson.

“I’ve really tried to remove myself from being attached to the team and the group,” Stajcic said of the Matildas, where several sentimental ties still bind between ex-coach and playing group.

“I didn’t just coach the national team for five years, I was also part of the development program at Sydney FC, and the NSW Institute of Sport as well as the Young Matildas.

“When you’ve been around the system for over 17 years there are some pretty close attachments and bonds there.

“But I’ve had to distance myself from that connection at this tournament where Australia beat the Philippines 4-0 in the group stage).

“I’ve tried not to have feelings either way - and treat it strictly professionally."

Stajcic, though, was an intrigued observer as a late wonder strike from Chelsea’s Ji So-yun punctured his former protégés.

“I thought it was a pretty even game, though Australia had more chances - especially in the first half,” he said.

“But when you have a player like Ji, who’s technically so good, the game can change in a flash. And that’s what happened.

“Australia were probably the stronger and better team, but weren’t able to capitalise on their chances - and that’s why they’re probably copping a bit of criticism.”

Probed on whether he had any sympathy for Gustavsson, Stajcic replied: “Nobody is immune from criticism.

“I’m really focused on what we’re doing and can’t get distracted by everybody else’s issues and problems.

“Every team has their own issues to deal with and we have to deal with our own, without worrying about anybody else.”

Amidst the euphoria of becoming tournament upstarts, Stajcic - who is on a short-term contract - confirmed he has yet to officially commit himself to leading out the Malditas at the 2023 World Cup.

However, that must surely be a formality.

“It is (the contract) short-term at the moment and I don’t want to lose focus,” he said. "Whatever happens after next week is probably a story for another day.”

Having spent 10 weeks in California preparing a squad sprinkled with an assortment of Filipina diaspora, Stajcic lavished his charges with superlatives.

“To see what we’ve been working on come to life is an amazing and unbelievable achievement,” he added.

“To a large extent it’s miraculous, given the difficulties that have been overcome in terms of half the group in Philippines barely playing in a year and we’ve had players scattered around the world only coming together sporadically.

“To be where we are now is really a monumental achievement. There are plenty of other players around who we’re also looking at in the same way that Australia has recruited (overseas-born) players like Martin Boyle, Harry Souttar and Fran Karacic.

“The big objective has been achieved in qualifying this nation for their first World Cup, and now there’s a huge semi-final where we’re massive underdogs against one of the AFC superpowers.”

Stajcic singled out the Philippines’ loss to Australia in the group stage as, counterintuitively, the moment that belief began to grow.

“I remember at the 2015 World Cup with the Matildas we lost 3-1 to America,” he recalled.

“It was 1-1 at halftime and we’d played the best football I’d seen from us up until they point.

“Even though we lost, that day planted more steel and belief in the group than any occasion prior. It showed they could match it with the best team in the world.

“I had a similar feeling the other day when we played Australia. I walked off feeling that having competed with Australia for one half that we believed that we do belong on this stage.

“I think it was a turning point and this squad, with a bit of full-time work, dedication and discipline, can get to where they want to go as individuals and as a team.

“The thirst to learn is something I haven’t seen before. As a coach, I couldn’t be happier for them.

“They’ll give everything they’ve got left in the tank against the Koreans.”

https://thewomensgame.com/news/i-ca...ic-refuses-to-revel-in-matildas-misery-575493

 

Starting Roster against Korea

 

FT Korea 2-0 Philippines

Dominant performance by Korea but the score is respectable for the Philippines considering the difference in class and rankings(Korea is 18th and the Philippines is 64th) between the 2 sides.

The Philippines need to improve on their on the ball performance(which Coach Stajcic did say he plans to work on) if they want to be competitive against the stronger sides in the World Cup next year.

 

Proud Alen Stajcic says coaching PWNFT is the best experience in his career

When Thai referee Pansa Chaisanit blew the final whistle, she not only called time on the Philippine Women’s National Football Team’s impressive AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 campaign but also one of the most feel-good sports stories in Philippine sports in recent memory.

Despite the 0-2 loss at the hands of South Korea in the semi-finals this Thursday evening, there was an unmistakable sense of pride in how the Filipinas competed throughout the tournament. An unexpected ticket towards the FIFA World Cup 2023 hosted by Australia and New Zealand was booked and along the way football was given a big boost in the country.


(C) AFC

“It was a very tough match,” said Philippines coach Alen Stajcic. “As we said yesterday, Korea would probably be the better team. Unfortunately, we let off the pressure valve really early with a corner which was really disappointing. We hoped to build up pressure with the scoreboard. That didn’t happen.

“But you know, Korea was the better team. They obviously dominated and had more chances. We had five or six half chances as well but the best part about today is that… the players after 120 minutes the other night, fought right till the death. It’s an amazing amount of heart, courage, and spirit in this group. I know I’m proud of them. I know the whole coaching staff is really proud,” he continued.

“All of everyone back home in the Philippines should be so proud of this group. They’ve come such a long way in such a short space of time.”

Throughout its five-game journey in the Asian Cup, the PWNFT showcased to the Filipino public performances that were simply unimaginable to begin with. The players were very disciplined at the back, compact in the middle, and sought to press forward.

Historic victories against Thailand and Indonesia were recorded alongside a fantastic match against Australia, who were held blank for 50 minutes. When the quarterfinals clash came against Chinese Taipei, the Filipinas demonstrated how mentally tough they were to hold on and win a penalty shootout considering that they could have easily folded when they conceded a goal at the 83rd minute after being 1-0 up.

“When you create history almost every time you step on the field, there’s nothing more you can ask for. The bar of performance has been raised.

“The expectations now for the country have been raised and now everyone has to come on board and we’ve got 18 months to prepare now for the World Cup and ensure that we do everything that we can as a country to give these players the maximum possible chance of performing at that stage,” said the 48-year-old tactician.

Ever since he started his coaching career two decades ago, Stajcic has been through many highs in the job.

Whether it is leading his home nation, Australia, in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 and the 2016 Rio Olympics or coaching Central Coast to third place in the 2020-2021 A-League regular season – the former Central Coast Mariners head coach has been through a lot already. But this job with the Philippines definitely ranks high up there.



(C) AFC

“I think this is probably the best experience, I think, in my coaching career.

“I’ve been coaching for 20 years. To take this group who are so dedicated, so determined, so much disciplined, so much heart, so much spirit considering what they’ve had to overcome to this point,” declared the erstwhile midfielder.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had to coach a group that had so many hurdles to overcome just in the preparation, let alone in the tournament. And to get to this level, and to fight and compete up until the last kick of a semi-final is truly such a remarkable effort and then it’s really emotional watching them try right till the last second of the game. There’re so many teams who would have given up and thrown the towel,” he expressed.

“It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know every player, every member of our staff. It’s such a unified group, such a close group, and again as I said before – it’s no surprise that the whole country back home in the Philippines is very proud of the group,” he beamed.

For Stajcic, it is imperative that the program builds on the belief demonstrated by the current batch of players as well as the standards they set in the tournament. To be the best, you need to win and lose against the best – and for that, the former Australia coach and his team will leave India with their heads held high.

“You can’t replicate that. I was just talking to the players just saying you can’t replicate playing against all the teams – Thailand, who have been to two World Cups now, Chinese Taipei, who are ranked at that level as well, Australia and Korea, who have been perennial heavyweights of AFC now for a long time,” he said.

“There’s no doubt Korea was the better team today and deserved the win and I wish them all the best in the final. But for us, to play against players like Ji (So-yun), who is in my opinion probably one of the top five in the world is just a phenomenal experience for our players.”

https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/...t-is-the-best-experience-in-his-career/230895