STAJCIC KUMPIYANSA VS NORWAY

SA PAGPASOK ng Pilipinas sa hindi pamilyar na teritoryo sa FIFA Women’s World Cup, batid ni coach Alen Stajcic ang kakayahan ng Filipinas.

Isa sa walong debutants sa pinakamalaking football tournament sa buong mundo, ang Pilipinas ay nasa third place sa Group A table, at naghahabol lamang ito sa co-hosts at second-running New Zealand sa goal difference.

“To be ahead of Norway in the league table after two matches is almost unheard of from any neutral pundit. We have earned the right to be in that position so that gives me a lot of belief and confidence,” pahayag ni Stajcic matapos ang training session ng koponan sa Auckland’s Olympic Park kahapon.

“They have earned the right to feel like that, in this position to feel confident and that they can put points on the board,” dagdag ng Australian coach.

Ang Filipinas ay underdog sa grupo hanggang maitala ang stunning 1-0 win laban sa Football Ferns noong nakaraang Martes upang maging bukas ang karera para sa dalawang slots para sa Round of 16 hanggang sa huling araw ng group play.

Sa pangkalahatan ay nasiyahan ang Stajcic sa workouts ng koponan, at sinabing: “The team is good spirits. Everyone is focused and ready for the challenge that lies ahead.”

“Together for the last 18 months, one of the strengths of this team is that we are able to refocus so quickly. And there is a real sense of maturity around this team and around that process that is one of the strengths of this team,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa nilalaro ng grupo, naniniwala si Stajcic na mararamdaman ng lahat ng apat na koponan ang pressure papasok sa mga laro bukas.

Ang Philippines-Norway match ay idaraos kasabay ng Switzerland-New Zealand duel sa Dunedin.

Ang panalo ng Filipinas ay maghahatid sa kanila sa knockout stage at maaari pang manalo sa Group A kapag natalo ang Swiss sa Football Ferns.

“Yes there’s pressure but if you don’t like pressure then you should be playing in elite sport. It doesn’t always happen in the World Cup, but this is one of those groups when all four teams can go through the next round,” ani Stajcic.

“All four teams need a result. Switzerland is on top but they can also lose their spot in the next round and Norway are in the bottom. If any team wins they are through. It is a really unique group that shows that it is tight and tough,” dagdag pa niya.

“Since the pressure will be on everyone, we will have to be ready for battle. It will be equal.”

Handa si Stajcic sa “wounded” Norway side na nakalikom pa lamang ng isang puntos sa kasalukuyan.

“I’m wary of the wounded animal. They (Norway) have taken a hit to their pride and I expect them to come out fighting. They are (former World Cup) champions for a reason. They have a fightback in them so we have to be ready for that,” sabi ni Stajcic.

Isa sa group favorites, nalasap ng Gresshoppene ang 0-1 kabiguan sa Football Ferns dito noong nakaraang linggo at nilabanan ang Swiss sa scoreless stalemate noong nakaraang Martes.

Nananatili ang respeto ni Stajcic sa kanilang counterparts mula sa Europe.

“They are former World Cup winners (in 1995), they are former Olympic gold medalists, the pedigree within the country and women’s football is enormous,” wika ni Stajcic.

“You have a Ballon d’Or winner in Ada Hegerberg, they have players playing at the highest level at Barcelona, who are probably their best players. They may be ranked No. 12 now but they have been in the top 10 for the past 20 to 30 years. They are fantastic,” dagdag pa niya.