Filipinas face familiar foes in AFF Women’s Championship

Filipinas celebrate during a victory over Myanmar in women’s football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games. PWNT/ Raymond Braganza

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine women’s football team was drawn in Group A in the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship, which will be hosted by the country from July 4 to 17.

The Filipinas are slotted with three-time AFF women’s champion and Southeast Asian Games runner-up Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia during the draw on Saturday at Marco Polo Hotel.

Matches will be held at Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan City and Imus City Grandstand in Imus, Cavite.

Women’s national football team coach Alen Stajcic is excited to battle the best teams in the region in front of the home crowd as he leaves no stones unturned in preparing for their historic 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup debut.

“Looking forward to playing in front of our home fans and against the best teams in Southeast Asia,” Stajcic said. “Another great opportunity for this team to be tested so that we can learn, grow and improve.”

Defending champion and SEA Games gold medalist Vietnam, which will also make its debut in the World Cup next year, headlined Group B with Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Laos.

The Filipinas, who recently won their first bronze medal since 1985 in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last week, are seeking to make another history by surpassing their best finish in the tournament, fourth place in 2019.

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