Filipinas, the Philippine Women’s National Team made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2023.
The Philippines has only been widely known for its engagements for the three b’s – basketball, boxing, and beauty pageants. This is about to change as the Philippine women's football team draws world attention with its inaugural participation in the world cup.
The Philippines has never competed in either the men's or women's FIFA World Cups. However, Filipinas secured a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 when it claimed a penalty shootout cliff-hanger against Chinese Taipei, winning 4-3 after a 1-1 draw at the 2022 AFC Asian Cup in Pune, India.
The team is comprised of:
Goalkeepers: Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Olivia McDaniel
Defenders: Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Hali Long, Dominique Randle
Midfielders: Tahnai Annis, Ryley Bugay, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Jaclyn Sawicki
Forwards: Sarina Bolden, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, Meryll Serrano
RESERVES: Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, Isabella Pasion
The Philippines has been included in the World Cup’s Group A alongside the host country New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. Much to the disappointment of the Australian followers, all its preliminary games will be held in New Zealand.
C’mon! Let us cheer on our team! Check out the flyer below showing its games and join the live stream as noted on the flyer below or they would possibly be displayed on the Facebook page of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team: https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasWNFT
The game times translated to Australian time are: 3pm, 3:30pm and 5pm.
Filipinas’ Head Coach is Australian Alen Stajcic who previously managed the Matilda’s. Under Stajic’s rigorous training from his engagement in 2021, the team’s world ranking has risen from 68 to 46.
The Australian Filipina wishes Filipinas all the best in its historic participation in the FIFA World Cup 2023.
(Acknowledgement: Images from the PWNFT FB Page)