PHI among AFC Women’s Asian Cup semifinalists
How the Malditas qualified for the World Cup?
Remembering PWNFT’s historic football breakthrough
In my sports column for Explained PH last year, I explained why it is safe to say that the Philippines is a basketball-crazy country. Because of this, football suffers from poor sponsorship, lacks media coverage, and fails to gain traction from fans. If not for the “Miracle in Hanoi”, the sport might have been in deeper unpopularity as of today. Fortunately, the Malditas followed the trail the Azkals had left — achieving an unthinkable achievement of reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For the first time in Philippine history, the country qualified to the biggest football tournament globally. Penultimately in all genders and age groups, a Filipino squad will finally get a taste of world-class football.
Imagine, how tough the competition is in Asia alone. By that time, four of the top 20 teams across the globe are in the Asian continent, namely: Japan, China, South Korea, and Australia. Not to mention, there are also stronger footballing nations than the Philippines in terms of experience, such as Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand and Vietnam and another East Asian contender Chinese Taipei. The road to the World Cup for our very own Malditas, now called “Filipinas”, never went easy but as the results provided, they won.
It is simply remarkable and unforgettable so for those who missed our Philippine women’s national football team’s (PWNFT) AFC Women’s Asian Cup journey, I dedicate this trip to memory lane piece for you all.
Malditas beat Nepal, Hong Kong in Asian Cup qualifying
Grouped alongside Nepal and Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers, the Philippines must top Group F to progress to the main tournament.
The Malditas took on Nepal first. Surprisingly, the South Asian side came close of defeating the Philippines after opening the floodgates in the 10th minute courtesy of Bimala Chaudhary. If not for Tahnai Annis and Camille Wilson’s stoppage time goals, the Philippine XI might have lost their opening fixture.
Come their second match VS Hong Kong, the Philippines only need a draw to punch a ticket in the Asian Cup. Chung Pui Ki tallied the equalizer in the 61st as Annis drew first blood 17 minutes in the first half. With a tie being imminent, Chandler McDaniel won the match for the Malditas as she notched another goal in the 87-minute mark.
With an unblemished 2–0–0 win-draw-loss mark, the Philippines qualified to the main draw as Group F winner.
PFF hires former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic
Following their successful qualifying in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) hired Alen Stajcic as the new head coach of the Malditas. Stajcic replaced Marlon Maro who returned as PWNFT mentor after 14 years in July 10, 2021.
Stajcic is the former Australia women’s national football team coach from 2014–2019. He left the squad with a prolific resume, including two runner-up finishes in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup (2014, 2018) and quarterfinal appearances in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Under his guidance, the Matildas also achieved their highest FIFA ranking by being fourth in 2017.
With Stajcic leading the call, Filipino fans are delighted and excited to see the things he can bring in the table. In January 2022, his wards have turned dreams into reality with less to no expectations.
PH ends losing slump VS Thailand
The Philippines is on a 12-game losing skid against Thailand before their opening match in the Asian qualifiers. The higher-ranked Thai booters are expected to get three points versus the Filipinas but the opposite happened.
Since the first half, the nationals were the aggressors and their effort paid-off in the 81st minute with Chandler McDaniel scoring a long-range strike against Thai goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing. McDaniel did it with three defenders crowding her yet she found an opening to deliver the winning goal. The Philippines beat Thailand, 1–0.
Matildas are too much for Malditas
In their second match, the Philippines was slapped by reality after suffering a humiliating 4–0 defeat in the hands of powerhouse Australia. The Matildas soften the tough Maldita side that held them to a scoreless opening half.
Stajcic’s side played strong defense throughout the first half. However, they couldn’t withstand the upcoming annihilation in the last 45 minutes as the Matildas’ firepower was so powerful led by Sam Kerr, Chelsea star and Australia’s top goalscorer. The lost put the Malditas in a must-win situation against Indonesia in their final group stage fixture.
PH romps hapless Indonesia
Malditas finished their Group B campaign at second place — the country’s best record in the group stages in tournament history with two wins and one loss. They mercilessly crushed Indonesia via 6–0 beating. Team captain Tahnai Annis had a brace while four other scorers added a goal to hand the Indonesians their third blowout defeat as Australia and Thailand demolished them, 18–0 and 4–0, respectively.
The Philippines’ next assignment is Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. Both countries aim to advance in the semifinals to book their first-ever World Cup qualification.
Malditas down Chinese Taipei for World Cup slot
Needless to say, the quarterfinal match between the Philippines and Chinese Taipei was nothing short of nerves. Everyone can barely hold on their seats as both teams were eager to win with a World Cup spot on the line.
After a nil-nil first half, the Malditas broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, thanks to Quinley Quezada’s goal. With seven minutes to go in regulation, Chinese Taipei evened the match as Zhuo fired a curling long shot which goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel only saw entering the post. Neither sides have find the back of the net in added extra time (AET) so this showdown was decided by a penalty shootout.
McDaniel was nonetheless the hero of the match. The Philippines found itself in the brink of defeat after Jessica Miclat and Hali Long missed their penalty kicks while the first three Taiwanese takers succeeded. The 25-year-old goalie denied the next three spot kickers then tying the shootout before Sarina Bolden capped the Malditas’ historic World Cup berth with her strike. Stajcic and company beat Chinese Taipei via penalties, 4–3.
It was beyond midnight in the country when the news erupted, sending me and other Filipinos watching live to delirium. History was indeed written. Our national team will definitely play in the biggest football tournament for women in the planet by 2023. The Malditas is one of the 32 nations to battle it out in the grandest stage.
Reaching semifinals isn’t bad after all
Mission success for the Philippines by advancing to the world stage but the job isn’t over just yet as Stajcic and the ladies want to go higher. They didn’t only aim for the World Cup ticket but also the Asian crown now, given that the Malditas reached the final four phase.
To do that, they must outlast South Korea’s Taegeuk Ladies that came from a stunning 1–0 win against Australia. Unfortunately, a finals stint was still out of reach for the meantime as the Malditas succumbed to them, 2–0.
Seemingly, the Philippines was helpless against the Korean side. South Korea pressed them and they gave in as playing defense was all the Malditas can do. The first half saw them committed costly mistakes that allowed the Taegeuk Ladies to score twice. In the next half, the same thing have occurred although without conceding a goal.
I didn’t bring this up to disregard the efforts of our PWNFT. They’re great but there is a long, long way to go for them. Establishing themselves starts in Asia and coach Stajcic knew that for sure. Losing to Australia and South Korea is part of the process to learn and become stronger. If they can’t fare against these teams well, how far would you think they’ll go in the quadrennial meet versus established powerhouses? Everything is just the beginning for them.
The PWNFT right now
Since achieving their illusive goal, the Malditas pedaled stronger uphill and reached greater heights.
Last May 2022, they won the bronze in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games held in Vietnam to end the Philippines’ medal drought in women’s football before hoisting the country’s first-ever ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) trophy at home turf in the Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 2022. Following this, the Filipinas went abroad to play international friendlies, which allowed them to earn ranking points to place 53rd worldwide — their highest rank to date as of December 2022.
As of now, the Philippines is currently preparing for the upcoming World Cup to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Their achievements in 2022 proved that any David can become Goliath themselves with proper guidance and support. Kudos, Filipinas! I’m wishing you all the success and glory this 2023. Abante, babae!
