Sorry but I actually meant WPSL(not NWSL) teams they scrimmaged with that had plenty of CONCACAF players but not at the level of the top tier NWSL teams. Those teams are made of Division 1 college prospects, ex pros or girls looking to get to the professional level and is considered level 2 in the US soccer pyramid just below the NWSL.
Host Australia and New Zealand welcome the 5 AFC teams who were the first to qualify to the Women's World Cup 2023.
Football: 'Internal rivalry' will elevate PH team, says Stajcic No one is guaranteed a spot in the Philippines team to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, with coach Alen Stajcic stressing the value of internal competition to elevate the team's overall quality. The Philippine women's national football team became the country's newest sporting heroes after their historic campaign in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022. There, they made it all the way to the semifinals and in the process, booked a ticket to next year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. But reaching the World Cup is one thing, and being competitive at that level is another. Stajcic, who is negotiating a contract extension with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), is already thinking of the steps that the Philippines need to take to reach another level. "Now, we really just gotta sit back and evaluate, and see where we're at, and really, honestly see where we're at," Stajcic said in a recent press conference. "It's no time to sit back and pat ourselves on the back." "Of course, it's a momentous achievement, but now we really have to capitalize on this moment and ensure that the team really shines in 18 months' time," he added. One key to improvement, for Stajcic, is to increase the squad depth and the competition within the group itself. "The more competitions there is for spots within the group, the better the team is gonna be moving into the future," he said. "Just because those 25 (players) were the ones that procured that special moment and that special place in history, and got the team to the World Cup, it doesn't mean that they will be at the World Cup," he warned. "The team will only flourish when we have more depth and more players competing for spots, and more players who can play in the first eleven." The PFF called up 23 players and two reserves to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in India, seven of whom were uncapped heading into the competition. The PFF has already said that there is a deep pool of players available for the Philippine women's team, several of whom are based locally but could not make it to the team's training camp in California over visa issues. Other players with Filipino heritage have also expressed interest in suiting up for the country. "Ang full list namin is about 100. Some of them are playing professionally in the US and in Europe. So, mahaba, malalim ang ating roster," PFF secretary-general Atty. Ed Gastanes said. "Mahaba ang ating listahan ng possible na Filipino players." (Our full list is about 100. Some of them are playing professionally in the US and in Europe. So the list of potential Filipino players for the roster is deep and long) This will be welcome news to Stajcic, who stressed that the ambition of the team is "to get more players in, whether they're competing back home in the Philippines, whether they've been identified somewhere else around the world within the Filipino diaspora." "We need more players to compete for spots, and that will really push the team to a new level. And, that internal rivalry within any elite team, are really the things that drive any good sporting team to the heights that they reach," he added. "That's really when this team will really find its true potential, when we have massive competition for every single spot on the team." https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/...qfclvcnBDo31W9TIZrG7a8RwS1tNAPDVNtXFNn8LD2-AI
A ‘miracle’ that earned a message from Manny Pacquiao: Alen Stajcic on the ‘best experience’ of his career On October 30, 2021, Alen Stajcic took a call about his interest in taking the Philippines to the Asian Cup in India in January. On November 7, Stajcic and his two trusted and loyal allies – Nahuel Arrarte and Luca Tonetti – were on a plane heading to the relative unknown; a camp in the US, to meet a squad of 25 pre-selected players, and to trial some aspiring fresh faces. They were walking into a “situation they knew very little about, and a team they knew very little about”. By the start of February, the world No.64 not only made the final four of the Asian Cup, but qualified for a World Cup for the first time in their history. Stajcic, who so vividly recalls following the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying efforts as a boy, through to 2005, helped the Philippines to their own Uruguay moment. “Being a part of another country – being entrusted to try and achieve the miraculous or near impossible was really special,” he told KEEPUP. “We all (the coaching team) felt that same sense of … honour: all the trust put in us to make it happen. “I guess I felt even more accountable than (with my) own national team – (because) you try to repay that faith and try to achieve something not achieved in their history before.” Qualifying for the World Cup, doing something never achieved before, would have been some achievement on its own. When you add the backstory in, no wonder Stajcic describes it as the “best experience of his career”. “I’ve been coaching for a long time now – 20-25 years at various levels – every team, competition you’ve ever gone into has got unique challenges but this was without question the most unique,” Stajcic reflected. ‘It was complex’ Between 8 December 2019, and their first match on 21 January 2022, they’d played two competitive games: matches against Hong Kong and Nepal in September, which they sneaked through with two late goals to qualify for the Asian Cup. The Philippines’ domestic competition had been shut down because of lockdown, so six-seven players hadn’t even kicked a ball competitively for 12-18 months. Some players couldn’t even get visas to join the camp in the States. Then Omicron hit, and six players had contracted it by the end of December, and on tournament eve, lockdowns took over, with elevated anxieties over who could travel, and who might be prevented from travelling to India. And to top it off, there were complications over passports for players – some of whom were going to be in the first XI – meaning the coaching staff were racing a clock to know who was simply eligible for the tournament. During all this, Stajcic was learning about his players and formulating a game plan to make them competitive – a goal in itself, let alone contemplating a run into the final four. “It was a complex preparation,” Stajcic said. “But the players, to move away from home for three months – whether they were based in America, Philippines, Europe or Japan – everyone sacrificed their life for three months, putting aside friends, family, college school or work. “But doing it for the love of the team and country was so humbling to see. Philippines players huddle prior to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi final. “It is an amazing group, whose thirst for learning, and hunger for improvement was something I’d never seen before. “The resilience to back up day in, day out and fight for their spot and their team to get as far … was something that was really rewarding to see – that kind of desire within a group, and unity. “So, when you put all those ingredients together, plus the qualities within individuals and the team culture that grew, that was special and key (for the success).” Setting the tone Stajcic walked into a new squad, with players who hadn’t trained or played for a while, and for most of them, it was their first full-time professional training experience. It was an eclectic mix that Stajcic was working with. He had some pro squad members flying in from Sweden, Japan, Spain and Cyprus. Others were aligned to schools and college teams. And some of the players who trialled, during an “eye opening” quest to find gems from outside the squad, ended up becoming part of his XI. “It was really, really, bizarre to see a national team conducted in this manner,” he reflected. “It was almost akin to a local youth program – see who would turn up and if you can find anyone. “(Some became) key players within the group and starting players. A bizarre, difficult, unusual process but it reaped a few results.” They were so underdone, it took six shorter practice matches before Stajcic and his staff were confident of sanctioning a 90 minute hit-out. Stajcic added: “Knowing as coaches, what was lying ahead, was a bit daunting: four to five matches in the Asian Cup, at a high level, with the potential of extra-time. “Our message was clear: game four or five will be where World Cup qualifying (can happen). Ensuring we will be fit and healthy for that was the main message.” Where do you even begin with so much to do, in such a short space of time, with the small matter of an Asian Cup group featuring Australia? The Philippines pushed the Matildas in the Asian Cup. “Interviews with every player,” Stajcic explained. “We sat down and had half hour discussions to find out about them as people. What they were expecting as a group. “It gave us a much clearer view of where they’ve been, where they are, and where they want to get to. “It was really enlightening and important, and as a coaching group, we packaged that up and presented it back to the group.” Upon reflection, getting that “buy-in” from the players, goals in “their words, feelings and thoughts”, was “probably the most important aspect in setting the tone and the narrative.” From squeaking past Nepal to an Asian Cup semi-final What happened next was beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. They’d snuck past Nepal and Hong Kong. Suddenly, with a collective buy-in, desperation to succeed, and willingness to learn, the Philippines had been moulded into a competitive unit. Not just against Thailand and Indonesia, but Australia and then, in the quarter-finals they eliminated Chinese Taipei. Alen Stajcic during the Asian Cup. The former Matildas boss does not include surpassing his former side’s quarter-final finish as part of the reason for the significance of the achievement. Even upon reflection, a week after returning home, the collective desire of his players still moves him, as does the magnitude of what it meant for the Philippines. “It was unprecedented in terms of their exposure to football. “Basketball by far is the No.1 sport there, a lot of that connection is to America. “We received messages from the vice president, just (last week) the president, a week or two ago from Manny Pacquiao, the main man! “It just shows the cut through it got throughout the country. The fact the first time ever a Philippines football side had qualified, really had a massive impact on fans, media, socials and local players alike.” “It (is similar to) football in Australia, to an extent – not the major sport – and not dissimilar to 2005 … that kind of momentum built up through the two weeks, and the crescendo, and the manner was similarly felt.” He continued: “We were all proud of what we all achieved as a group. It doesn’t come down to one person, or player, or staff– there is no way you can achieve something like that without buy-in from every single person. “The whole playing group was so unified and aligned. Every staff member was so in tune. There’s no way an accomplishment like that could happen without that. “That’s the part that feels the most rewarding.” Whether the Philippines can repeat that miracle work at the World Cup, or if Stajcic will be in charge for his home country’s showpiece, are still unknowns. Regardless, the Asian Cup will have lasting impacts not just on the region, but a generation. “It is a shame we didn’t have crowds at the Asian Cup, didn’t get to see the full impact of hosting in an emerging country,” he said. “There’s a lot of room left for growth. And the more emerging nations like Philippines, who come through and start challenging … the better it’ll be for the game ultimately. “You’re talking India, China, even Philippines (combined nearly three billion people); if we can grow the game in some of these locations, it will certainly reclaim its right place as the biggest sport in the region, especially for females.” A-Leagues lessons Between his stints in the international women’s game with the Matildas and Philippines, the former Liberty A-League title winner with Sydney FC had a few seasons reviving Central Coast Mariners in the Isuzu UTE A-League. “I think it did (help) actually,” he mused, when asked if that underdog experience helped him for this role. “I spent the first 15-16 years in full-time coaching, 2003-2015, in New South Wales and with Sydney FC, always with the favourites, always the dominant team, always getting the most amount of players in national teams. “The pressure is different – to keep winning is different to the underdog. Moving to the Mariners and starting from ground zero, the two key learnings were the importance of resilience and leadership. “Being able to bounce back and fight as quickly and often as you can is an essential quality in the whole group – players, staff, everyone attached. On leadership, he continued: “At the Mariners I was very, very fortunate to have Oli Bozanic, Matt Simon and Marco Urena and have been quoted so many times saying what a massive impact they had on the group, (as well as) a (Mark) Birighitti, Kye Rowles to a certain extent. “Being in winning teams, I possibly didn’t get to see the full force of how important that leadership and resilience were, but being in an underdog team, it is a weapon and galvanising force in a group. It is an essential ingredient to move forward … without that kind of leadership in the staff and playing group, you really can’t have alignment and unity.” And with those two key ingredients, and more, a cold call in October turned into an unexpected World Cup berth and a piece of national history. https://keepup.com.au/news/a-miracl...-stajcic-on-the-best-experience-of-his-career
PFF retains Stajcic as PWNT braces for Women’s World Cup buildup Australian coach Alen Stajcic, who guided the Philippine Women’s National Team to a historic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last month, has signed a new contract that will keep him and his staff with the PWNT until the 2023 Women’s World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. PWNT team manager Jefferson Cheng made the announcement Friday after Stajcic, 48, agreed to an extension in a meeting in Sydney last March 1. Assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte and strength and conditioning coach Luca Tonetti will also remain with the team, Cheng said. With Stajcic at the helm, the Filipinas reached the semifinals of the AFC Womens Asian Cup in India for the first time after beating Chinese Taipei on penalties. The Filipinas, who lost to Korea Republic in the semifinals, finished joint third with Japan in the tournament won by China. “The next 18 months will be challenging for all of us at the PWNT as we do our best to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Cheng. “We are all motivated, hopeful and looking forward to giving our best for the nation.” Cheng thanked Stajcic “for continuing on this journey with the PWNT.” Stajcic described his first stint with the PWNT as one of the best experiences of his career. “I’m delighted to continue our journey with the Phillippine Women’s National Team through to the World Cup,” said Stajcic. “The Asian Cup performances were remarkable and phenomenal, but to share it with a group of staff and players that exemplified humility, gratitude and passion for the (Philippines) shirt is what really made it special. I’m extremely excited to help lead the team in the next chapter as we head for the pinnacle of our sport.” Stajcic’s next task is to lead the Filipinas in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May. The Filipinas will also see action in the AFF Women’s Championships in Manila in July before vying in the Asian Games in China in September. PFF president Mariano Araneta and PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes are pleased to have Stajcic on board as the Filipinas prepare for the FWWC next year. “The PFF is honored to continue working with a truly world class coach in Alen Stajcic whose professionalism and attention to detail have been instrumental in raising the level of the PWNT,” said Araneta. “The team’s performances in India showed that he is the best coach to also lead us in our first FIFA Womens World Cup appearance.” “Coach Alen Stajcic showed that the Philippines can be a top-caliber team in the women’s game,” said Gastanes. “We are very delighted that he has committed to the team as it prepares for several women’s competitions this year in the build up to the World Cup.” https://pff.org.ph/2022/03/04/pff-r...pmaMuyPdHVgEqR46mu4f4kz67anjb-jHyhcQ5ohuZ7vnw
PWNFT’s Dominique Randle invited to train with NWSL’s Angel City One of the key cogs in the Philippines’ glorious AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 campaign that yielded a place in the FIFA World Cup 2023 has earned herself a shot at making it to America’s premier football competition for ladies. Dominique Randle, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team defender who played every second of the country’s matches in India, was announced to be one of the non-roster invitees of National Women’s Soccer League side Angel City. As a non-roster invitee, the 27-year-old center-back is currently trying out with Angel City in its pre-season program alongside four other players. This development is a major breakthrough for the former University of South Carolina Trojan as it can potentially lead her to sign her first professional deal. The club’s pre-season is scheduled to take place this month and Randle will expect to see stars such as two-time World Cup champion Christen Press, 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Vanessa Gilles, and Scotland star Claire Emslie. If the 5-foot-6 player is signed by Angel City, she would not take up an international slot since she was born in Seattle, Washington, as NWSL clubs can only recruit a maximum of four foreign players in their lineups. Angel City is a new NWSL team that was founded by esteemed Hollywood actress Natalie Portman and two other entrepreneurs in July 2020. It lists the likes of tennis great Serena Williams, basketball star Candace Williams, and former USMNT star Cobi Jones as some of its part-owners. tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pwnfts-dominique-randle-signs-with-angel-city/233312
They haven't had any league games in nearly a year so they are pretty rusty so I doubt they will make it past Sydney FC.
Unfortunately Ceres folded as a result of the economic problems brought on by COVID on their ownership. The Philippine professional leagues have been adversely affected by COVID allowing only short term tournaments instead of a full professional league season during that interval. The PFF is also partly responsible for the stagnation of the nascent professional league in combination with the effects of COVID. They have not worked as hard as their Philippine basketball and volleyball counterparts in helping set up a longer professional league season(which the other sports were able somehow manage even with COVID) instead of settling for short term tournaments or outright cancellation in some years.
When the news of Alen Stajcic’s renewal with the Philippine Women’s National Football Team was announced, there was widespread relief and joy across social media. The man who led the country in its historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 campaign is staying on for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Philippine football is blessed that a man of his caliber is leading the charge. “I’m very excited actually to start this whole process and the journey to the World Cup,” said the 48-year-old Australian mentor. “Making it to the World Cup was unique, it was phenomenal, it was extraordinary, and it was real hard work, but now the real hard work starts. “We really need to ensure that we do everything we possibly can from this point forward. We’ve got about 17 months now to prepare. I think it was 500 days just the other day to the World Cup so we have to make sure we use every single one of those 500 days to the best of our abilities to give this team the best possible chance of representing our country the best way we can,” he continued. “They’ve already shown how much passion they play with. How proud they are to wear the jersey and now it’s up to us to give them the best opportunity to do it on the world stage.” For a coach of his standing, Stajcic received multiple offers to take his talents elsewhere after defying expectations with the Philippines in the Asian Cup. Despite the temptations to move somewhere else, the former Central Coast Mariners instructor followed his instincts to remain loyal to the country. “I think as I have known coach Alen, he’s a professional,” said team manager Jefferson Cheng. “He has always been determined and committed to the Philippine Women’s National team ever since we had him on board last year. I think, of course, commercially, because of the success we had last year and also with his position as one of the leading coaches, not just in Australia or internationally, there are also a lot of other offers. “But I think you could see that his heart is with the Philippine national team and I respect him greatly for that and I think that was what made him decide to extend the contract so to speak. We’re very fortunate to have coach Alen and his team with us because I could see they are the right coach and the right team to bring us through to the World Cup.” On a personal note, Stajcic’s initial success with the Filipinas and the bond he and his lieutenants, assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte and strength and conditioning coach Luca Tonetti, have formed with those in the team, its management, and the employees of the Philippine Football Federation proved too strong to be left abruptly. “It definitely was a decision of the heart. “There were other offers. There was a European club, there was a men’s national team, and even some interest here in Australia in the men’s pro league, but being just around some wonderful people, the players, and the staff, it was really a joy to be a part of that group,” he said. “You know the executive staff of the PFF, it has really been a pleasure to meet everyone, be in touch with everyone, engage with everyone. For me, we started the journey so now it’s the process of really getting into the fun part and working hard to get to that World Cup so definitely a decision of passion and heart,” he added. With Stajcic’s contract done and dusted, the focus now shall be on the PWNT’s upcoming campaigns in the SEA Games this May, the AFF Women’s Championship that will be hosted locally, and the Asian Games in China this September. Competition for places in his squads for those tourneys is heating up as expectations for the PWNT will be higher from now on. “Certainly the players who went to India, they earned the right to represent the country and did it fantastically well. For anyone who wants to challenge that spot, and I hope we have lots of challenges for those spots. As I said some people are unfortunate they couldn’t get visas to go to the camp or travel to India,” he said. “Ultimately, no one owns that shirt. They’re just renting it so anyone who comes along and performs better and shows more skill, more passion, more dedication will earn the right to have that shirt but certainly, the 23 who wore the jerseys in India, it’s theirs to lose but for everyone else, it’s gonna be a tough challenge now to get that shirt. But it’s open to everyone,” he opined. “That’s how national teams should be. It should be a competitive rivalry. We should have depth in competition and the competition should be done in a respectful way. We should have people who are banging down the door trying to get into that team… There’s a lot of interest now to try and get into this team which is great.” https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/...ajcic-still-made-decision-of-the-heart/233826
PFF names Hall new technical director, Fegidero returns as PH men’s team coach in Vietnam SEAG The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced on Friday two key appointments in bolstering the national football program. English coach Stewart Hall, the amiable mentor who guided the Philippine Azkals in their recent AFF Suzuki Cup and AFF Under-23 Championship campaigns, is set to take a huge role as the national football body’s new technical director. With his new designation, Hall is expected to oversee the development of the national football grassroots program, local coaches and related game officials, and youth and prospective players that may represent the country in international competitions. In a virtual media roundtable on Friday, Hall welcomed the challenges of spreading football in the Philippines considering the country’s vast geographical landscape and the perception of Filipinos towards the sport. The 62-year old coach, who replaced acting PFF technical director Scott Cooper, said he will try his best to unite all football sectors as many national football players are playing in leagues outside the country. “The way that’s done in the best football nations in the world is through a game model. (We need) A philosophy and a game model laid down about how we want to have teams to look, to behave, to play, for the coaches to develop. That pulls everything together,” said Hall. PFF president Nonong Araneta hopes the philosophy that Hall seeks to impart will further boost the Philippine football program at the heels of the Filipina booters’ historic achievement of clinching the country’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup berth. “We have to come up with one philosophy for the Philippines,” Araneta said. “We are excited for the future of Philippine football under our new technical director.” Among the programs lined up for Hall is the holding of the U-19 boys and U-17 women’s competitions this year, in the PFF’s bid to form a national pool for the future. Meanwhile, the PFF also revealed that Hall’s assistant Norman Fegidero will make a comeback as the national men’s football team head coach for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi, Vietnam in May. The 52-year-old former national team player last held the coaching post in 2008, where he guided the Filipinos to a runner-up finish in that year’s Challenge Cup. “Norman already knows the squad. He’s familiar with the players and the players are familiar with him. That’s a good start,” Hall gave his thoughts on Fegidero’s appointment. As a player, Fegidero rose to prominence when he scored the lone goal in the Philippines’ upset 1-0 win against Malaysia during the 1991 SEAG held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. In preparation for their SEAG campaign, Fegidero is expected to handle the Azkals Development Team in the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022 starting March 14. www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2022/3/11/PFF-appoints-Hall-Fegidero.html
www.facebook.com/philfootballfederation/videos/2996929903970468 During the interview manager Dan Palami mentioned that the Philippine national team will be participating in a tournament in Singapore in March in preparation for the June AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and he mentioned that they will be looking at new players like Gerritt Holtmann, Berdanca, Ynares(?) and how they fit in with their roster. They are especially excited about Gerritt Holtmann who confirmed his participation since he has been playing well in the Bundesliga and they wanted to cap him before he gets Germany's attention. Recently Gerritt scored and was named man of the match on VFL Bochum's 4-2 win over giants Bayern Munich last February and was also responsible for this Goal of the Year candidate early in the season where he dribbled his way thru almost the entire Mainz team to score the game winning goal against his former team. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bunde...i-asano-boetius-bella-kotchap-rexhbecaj-16958
Gerrit Holtmann finally set for Azkals debut With only three months left before the Philippine Azkals’ 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round campaign in Mongolia, preparations are in full swing to seal a ticket anew to the biggest stage in Asian football. One of the players whom Filipino football fans want to wear the national team colors is Gerrit Holtmann, who has made 25 appearances so far for VFL Bochum in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal scoring four goals and providing six assists. “We will be using this camp in March to look at the players who would be debuting for the Azkals. Players like Gerrit Holtmann and a few more,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami. “We have (Diego) Bardanca coming in, Enrique Linares coming in. So we’ll get to assess them plus the other players who have been with us for a while. “Holtmann has already responded and has already made arrangements for his flights going to Singapore.” A notable strike of the 6-foot-1 Fil-German winger, which came against Mainz on August 21, 2021, provoked excitement with the fantastic skills he demonstrated to score a solo goal. It even earned him the Bundesliga Goal of the Year Award for 2021. “It is very seldom that a player of that quality has enthusiastically expressed interest to play for us,” added Palami. “It took a while and (coach) Scott Cooper had been working on him for the last two years to convince him and then finally he agreed. “I think for football-loving fans who follow other leagues like the Bundesliga, we know how Gerrit has been making waves in that league and it’s important that we cap him immediately before Germany comes knocking at his door,” the sports patron beamed. “That’s how we view this as well as the other young players who would be coming in as well.” With Holtmann in the fold, the Azkals are set to participate in a tri-nation tourney this month against Singapore and Malaysia. All matches shall be hosted by Singapore’s National Stadium from March 21-29, 2022, and this is being done to prepare all three teams for their qualification campaigns. “We will be using this particular tournament to determine the squad that we’ll be using for the Asian Cup qualifiers in Mongolia this June,” said Palami. “That’s going to be the main objective of these particular friendlies.” tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gerrit-holtmann-finally-set-for-azkals-debut/233886
Successful Australian football coaches are a hot commodity nowadays(starting with Ange Postecoglou, the long time successful manager of Celtic FC) worldwide, so it is really fortunate that Coach Stajcic decided to stay with the Philippine Women's National Football team. Coach Stajcic was also nominated by FIFA for Best Women's Coach back in 2018 when he was the coach of the Australian Women's National Team.
Western Sydney Wanderers Women’s Supporters Page FEATURE: Staj’s winning and team first mentality comes from a positive culture say long time lieutenants By Janakan Seemampillai The news that Alen Stajcic will be sticking with the Philippines as they embark on their first ever World Cup adventure next year has not only excited football fans across a country with 109 million people, but also fans down under who have a lot of affection for the former Matildas coach. Stajcic, who took the Matildas to number four in the World in 2017 and coached them at the 2015 World Cup, is a much revered figure in Australian football. He is fast building that reputation around the world after he took the Malditas (Philippines National Womens Team’s nickname) to the Asian Cup semi-finals in India recently, and consequently qualified them for the 2023 World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand. Joining Stajcic in the Philippines setup will be long time trusted lieutenants Nahuel Arrarte and Luca Tonetti. Arrarte was glowing in his tribute of the man they call ‘Staj’, insisting it is exciting what he could potentially do with the Malditas. “Staj is an exceptional coach who transmits his passion for the game through his strategic manner of coaching,” he said. “His ability to turn problems into solutions is inspiring. I really admire his ability to stay calm and collected in a crisis. “He trusts, believes in his staff and allows you to share your thoughts and opinions.” Stajcic had tremendous success in Australian football wherever he went. Before coaching the Matildas, he won two W-League Championships with Sydney FC (2009 and 2012-13) and a NWSL title with the NSW Sapphires (2003-4). He is also the last coach to qualify the Young Matildas for a World U-20's Women Championships (2006). Australia have missed out on qualification seven times since then. Last season, he took the Central Coast Mariners from cellar dwellers to finalists. Arrarte, who also worked with Stajcic in the Matildas setup and at the Mariners, believes the winning mentality that has been instilled in every team that Stajcic has been involved in, is due to the positive culture he creates. “His results with Sydney FC Women winning championships, with Matildas taking them to number four which is our highest ever ranking in the world, Central Coast Mariners from wooden spoon to semi-finalist and most recently with Phillipines Womens (ranked 64 in the world), achieving semi-finals in the Asian Cup and qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in history, speak for themselves,” he said. Current Adelaide United A-League Men’s assistant Ross Aloisi, who worked with Stajcic in the Matildas setup in 2015, echoed Arrarte’s sentiments while also emphasising the genuine care Stajcic has for his players and the team first mentality he instills. “He shows that he cares and he has a really good relationship with a lot of players, he is really honest which is another positive aspect,” said Aloisi. “When we were with the Matildas we did a lot of team building. “It was all about truths and winning the moment and owning your performance. It was all about the team.” Aloisi also outlined how Stajcic ensured the players were treated as footballers, setting up a professional environment for them to work in. “A lot of it was to do with structures and the way he wanted to play. He always pushed the girls to the max. The winning mentality came in training sessions, it was about treating them as footballers,” he said. “If you have the right coaching staff as well, the players buy into it. They wanted to be treated as footballers but wanted a professional environment. “He (Stajcic) provided the most professional environment he knew of and he could.” Aloisi admitted he was excited about seeing Stajcic at the 2023 World Cup. He believes the Philippines will go into the tournament with a lot of self belief as well as organisation. “I think his structures and playing together as a team. A lot of coaches out there, don’t have real structures,” said Aloisi. “That winning mentality of going out there and believing you’re the best. That was the thing, he made the girls believe. “And if you have got that belief and you are treated as a footballer and that is what you are craving for, you want to learn…players always want to learn…it’s not about just making them happy because some players want short cuts. “One thing they will be is fit, and they will have a clear idea of what they need to do on the pitch.“ Stajcic’s next few assignments with the Philippines will include the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in May, the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships in Manila in July and the Asian Games in China in September. Stajcic has only committed to the Malditas until the World Cup, with his future beyond that, unclear at this stage. Whether Stajcic will work again in Australia will likely be discussed at length in 2023, especially if the Philippines do well at the World Cup. The Socceroos job may become vacant next year, but whether Stajcic has the appetite to work with FA again will be an intriguing situation. There are also possibilities that may open up in the A-League and the proposed National Second Division, which is scheduled to commence next year. For now he will focus on the Malditas, who will undoubtedly be adopted as a second team by many Australian fans in 2023.
pff.org.ph/2022/03/19/philippines-mnt-to-face-malaysia-and-singapore-in-fas-tri-nations-series/ The Philippine Men’s National Team will battle Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia and Singapore in the FAS Tri-Nations Series to be held from 23-29 March 2022 in Singapore. The Philippines will face Malaysia on 23 March followed by Singapore on 29 March. Both matches will be played at the National Stadium. The tournament will be the Azkals’ first international outing for this year and will also serve as the team’s preparation for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers scheduled for June 2022 in Mongolia. Twenty-five (25) players were called up to comprise the Philippine delegation for the Tri-Nations Series. Forward Gerrit Holtmann, who plays for Bundesliga side VfL Bochum, is set to make his long awaited national team debut. Joining Holtmann as the new additions to the squad are defenders Enrique Linares and Diego Bardanca. Both goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and midfielder John Patrick Strauss make their return to the squad after missing out on the World Cup qualifiers and the Suzuki Cup campaigns last year. Neil Leonard ETHERIDGE Goalkeeper Birmingham City (England) Kevin Ray HANSEN Goalkeeper Kuala Lumpur FC (Malaysia) Quincy KAMMERAAD Goalkeeper Azkals Development Team Amani AGUINALDO Defender Nongbua Pitchaya FC (Thailand) Justin BAAS Defender Melaka United (Malaysia) Diego BARDANCA Defender Buriram United (Thailand) Carlos DE MURGA Defender Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia) Enrique LINARES Defender UD San Pedro (Spain) Daisuke SATO Defender Ratchaburi Mitr Phol (Thailand) Oliver BIAS Midfielder Azkals Development Team Jesse CURRAN Midfielder Kaya FC-Iloilo Dylan DE BRUYCKER Midfielder Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) Harry FÖLL Midfielder FC Villingen (Germany) Kevin INGRESO Midfielder Samut Prakan FC (Thailand) Oskari KEKKONEN Midfielder Kaya FC-Iloilo Manuel OTT Midfielder Terengganu FC (Malaysia) Iain RAMSAY Midfielder Nongbua Pitchaya FC (Thailand) Stephan SCHRÖCK Midfielder Unattached John Patrick STRAUSS Midfielder FC Erzgebirge Aue (Germany) Dennis VILLANUEVA Midfielder Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) Mark HARTMANN Forward United City FC Gerrit HOLTMANN Forward VfL Bochum (Germany) Bienvenido MARAÑON Forward Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia) Jose Elmer PORTERIA Forward Kirivong Sok Sen Chey (Cambodia) Patrick REICHELT Forward PT Prachuap (Thailand)
I wish we had this roster during the last WC qualifying round. Because of Covid and passport issues, many of these players begged off and still weren't available back then and we didn't advance to the next WC qualifying round. The only regular missing this time around is Jefferson Tabinas who plays in Japan and was their best defenceman in WC qualifying.
Gerrit Holtmann’s Azkals debut delayed as he contracts COVID-19 Gerrit Holtmann’s much-awaited Azkals debut will have to wait. His mother club VfL Bochum 1848 announced on Sunday evening (Manila time) that the 26-year-old Fil-German winger has tested positive for COVID-19. Also testing positive for the Bundesliga club are Greek defender Vasilis Lampropoulos and forward Tom Weilandt. This will make him unavailable for the Tri-Nation tournament which also has Malaysia and Singapore competing. The Azkals face Malaysia on March 23 and Singapore on March 29. The remaining forwards left in the team are PT Prachuap’s Patrick Reichelt, United City’s Mark Hartmann, Kirivong Sok Sen Chay’s OJ Porteria, and Johor Darul’s Bienve Maranon. tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gerrit-holtmanns-azkals-debut-delayed-as-he-contracts-covid-19/234621 A bit disappointing as many have eagerly awaited the debut of the high profile Bundesliga star for the Philippine national football team.