PH WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM SASABAK SA MAS MARAMING INT’L FRIENDLY MATCHES

MARAMI pang international friendly matches ang inilinya ni Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. para sa mga Pinay, ang newly-crowned AFF Women’s Championship queens, upang mapataas ang kanilang FIFA world ratings para sa mas magandang draw sa 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup na nakatakda sa Oktubre.

“The draw will be in October that is why we are trying to schedule more games for the Filipinas against opponents that are higher than us in the rankings so they, hopefully, will also improve their ratings,” pahayag ni Araneta sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) online Forum kahapon.

Patungo sa pagwawagi ng makasaysayang unang major international football title ng bansa, pinataob ng tropa ni Australian Alen Stacjic ang Asian football titans Australia, Vietnam at Thailand, na ranked Nos. 12, 32 at 43, ayon sa pagkakasunod-sunod.

Sa paggapi sa kanilang higher-rated rivals, ang mga Pinay, kasalukuyang ranked 53rd, ay makaaasa ng mas mataas na marka sa sandaling ilabas ang latest ratings, na ayon kay Araneta ay magbibigay sa koponan ng mas magandang puwesto sa World Cup draw, halos tatlong buwan mula ngayon.

“Coach Alen told me that we only need four to eight points to go from the fourth to the third pot. This will help the Filipinas avoid facing the heavyweights early in the tournament,” paliwanag ng football chief.

“There has been an invitation from World Cup qualifier Costa Rica to play in Costa Rica and another from New Zealand. Those friendlies are now on the pipeline,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang Kiwis at Costa Ricans ay kasalukuyang ranked Nos. 22 at 37, ayon sa pagkakasunod, sa FIFA rankings.

Dumalo rin sa session na suportado ng San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, at ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), sina national team members Inna Palacios, Hali Long, at Camille Rodriguez.

Ibinahagi nila ang kanilang mga sariling karanasan sa kung paano personal na nakaapekto sa kanila ang matagumpay na kampanya.

“What I learned is that our victory showed that we can do it. Na kaya namin. I am also grateful for having been a part of the journey of this national team, seeing it from its lowest then getting better and better to reaching our highest potential at the moment,” ani Palacios.

Sinabi naman ni Long, nasa koponan na magmula pa noong 2015 at nakapaglaro na ng 61 beses, na nagpakita ng puso ang mga Pinay.

“This is a first, history and history at home. It took a lot of heart to accomplish this (milestone) and will remain in our hearts forever,” aniya.

Ibinahagi ni Rodriguez ang damdamin ng kanyang teammates, at sinabing: “What we were able to do here is really special. Special to do it at home and for your country. Special to know that you know your love ones were out there in the stands supporting us.”

Sa harap ng 8,275 animated fans ay nakumpleto ng mga Pinay ang kanilang fairy tale run sa pagpapataob sa four-time champion Thailand, 3-0, upang kunin hindi lamang ang unang major football championship ng bansa, kundi buhayin din ang national interest sa sport.