Philippine WNT training for the Women’s World Cup 2023. Photo credit: Philippine WNT via Twitter.
Football in the Philippines has always been in the shadows of basketball and boxing but in the last decade, the women’s international team, the Filipinas, has been steadily on the rise.
We saw the big breakthrough for this team, last year in the 2022 AFC Asian Cup. The Philippines won a penalty shootout against Chinese Taipei – winning 4-3 after a 1-1 draw. Although they went on to lose the semi-finals against South Korea 2-0, losing out on a potential first final, the real prize was qualifying for FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2023. Philippines defender, Hali Long, talked about Philippines qualifying for the tournament:
“I always knew I was going to see it one day in my life. I didn’t know I would be here being able to live it, breathe it, struggle through it, love it, like I am right now.”
This FIFA Women’s World Cup will see a team debut for the Philippines. Although they came close in 2019, the Filipinas have become the first side from the nation of any age or gender to compete at a World Cup. All that will change on Friday 21st July 2023 when the women’s side under their Australian coach Alen Stajcic play Switzerland in Dunedin, New Zealand.
They are in group A with co-hosts New Zealand, 1995 World Cup champions Norway and Switzerland. These matches will be played on the 21st of July (v Switzerland), 25th of July (v New Zealand), and the 30th of July (v Norway).
The Squad
They will be led through the tournament by head coach Alen Stajcic, who got co-hosts Australia to the Women’s World Cup in 2015. Stajcic said that picking the final 23 players for the squad was ‘more difficult than expected.’
- Goalkeepers: Olivia McDaniel (Milwaukee Panthers), Kiara Fontanilla (Central Coast Mariners), Kaiya Jota (Stanford Cardinals), Inna Palacios (Kaya Illoilo)
- Defenders: Maya Alcantara (Georgetown Hoyas), Alicia Barker (Pacific Northwest), Angela Beard (Western Union), Reina Bonta (Santos), Malea Cesar (Blacktown City), Jessika Cowart (IFK Kalmar), Sofia Harrison (Werder Bremen), Hali Long (Kaya–Iloilo), Dominique Randle (Por/KA)
- Midfielders: Tahnai Annis (Por/KA), Eva Madarang (Blacktown Spartans), Ryley Bugay (Saarbrucken), Anicka Castañeda (Mt Druitt Town Rangers), Sara Eggesvik (Norway KIL/Hemne), Kaya Hawkinson (Central Coast Mariners), Jessica Miclat (Eskilstuna United), Carleigh Frilles (Blacktown Spartans), Isabella Pasion (Lebanon Trail High School), Jaclyn Sawicki (Western United)
- Forwards: Katrina Guillou (Pitea IF), Sarina Bolden (Western Sydney Wanderers), Isabella Flanigan (West Virginia Mountaineers), Chandler McDaniel (Milwaukee Panthers), Quinley Quezada (Red Star Belgrade), Meryll Serrano (Stabaek)
The 2⃣3⃣ 𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑠 that are ready to inspire a nation 🇵🇭
🔵🔴🟡 #LabanFilipinas #ParaSaBayan #WinTheMoment #FilipinasTayo #FWWC2023 @philfootball pic.twitter.com/7vFii3SMCv
— Philippine WNT ⚽ (@PilipinasWNFT) July 9, 2023
Head coach
The former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic arrived on a three-month contract in October 2021 with the aim to qualify for the World Cup and exceeded expectations when the team reached Australia and New Zealand without having to go through the playoffs.
Stajcic is a major reason for the Philippines’ improvement as he brings a wealth of experience in a playing and coaching career in Australia. He coached Australia at the 2015 World Cup and took the Matildas to as high as fourth in the FIFA rankings, but was dumped despite guiding them to the 2019 tournament.
Stajcic says that being able to get the squad together for extended periods, including a 10-week training camp in the United States before the Asian Cup, has been another reason for their dramatic upturn. But he will need all his nous and know-how if the Philippines are to be competitive in a women’s game which is at an all-time high in Europe and North America. Stajcic believes in his team; However, is well-aware that “the rest of the world is already a hundred steps ahead of [the Philippines].”
Players to watch
The team’s captain is Tahnai Annis. The midfielder was a top scorer for the Philippines during qualifying and won a penalty in the pivotal shootout victory during the AFC Asian Cup in 2022. At 34, she is the oldest Filipina on the world stage. Her experience is going to be crucial this summer.
Uncapped Angela Beard made the cut too, after only being with the team since last October. Despite being new to the national team, from her club football, the defender is high in quality and experience and is sure to play a key part in the team’s journey this summer. Another player named in the squad is veteran Hali Long. The center back made her national team debut in 2016, and now has more than 70 caps. Long has a reputation as a commanding player with a strong tackle. Bringing experience, leadership and quality to the team, Hali Long is another irreplicable player.
She might only be 18 years old but forward Isabella Flanigan will be an impressive player to watch this summer. With the talent of close control of the ball, she gives head coach Alen Stajcic the freedom to utilize her in the starting eleven or use her as a super sub coming off the bench mid game. Sarina Bolden has the cutting-edge instincts inside the box that a top goal scorer needs to help her team make it in this tournament. The forward, who plays in Australia for the Western Sydney Warriors, has tunnel vision when it comes to scoring goals and is expected to help lead the team during the summer.
Conclusion
The Philippines will be filled with energy and excitement in their first-ever Women’s World Cup match. With a youthful squad, and alert and decisive defenders on the backline, the Philippines can make things difficult for opponents to find a rhythm. The teams recent form also poses a threat to their competition as they recently played exceptionally well in the 2024 Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament, scoring 16 total goals against Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Hong Kong during the group stage.
The Philippines are already making history by debuting at the World Cup. But can they make further history by progressing into the knock out stages? Make sure to tune in to the matches or follow @SportingHerFootball on Instagram to keep up to date with all things football.
To read more Women’s World Cup related articles, click here.
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