Rizal Memorial Stadium Track & Football Stadium. –INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — International football action returns to Rizal Memorial Stadium as the historic venue is set to host the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship 2022 set from July 4 to 17.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the 12,873-seater stadium, which was built in 1954, will be one of the three venues for Southeast Asia’s premier women’s football competition.
Manila’s historic football stadium is hosting an international tournament for the first time in this pandemic era. The last competition held at the venue was the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
“We’re delighted to welcome the 10 countries arriving for the AFF Women’s Championship 2022,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr.
“We want to put our best foot forward as our hosting comes at a very exciting time for women’s football in the region with the Philippines and Vietnam qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup early this year along with co-host Australia.”
Some games of the World Cup-bound Philippine women’s football team will be held at Rizal Memorial, but the league is still finalizing the schedule.
The Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna and the City of Imus Stadium in Cavite will also host the AFF Women’s Championship 2022 matches while the PFF National Training Center in Carmona is one of the training venues.
Araneta also announced that the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium will be the venue for the group matches, the semifinals, and the finals.
“PFF sees to it that we have the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium available to host the AFF Women’s Championship 2022 matches,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.
“It is fitting that our FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Philippine Women’s National Team play at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. We humbly thank the Philippine Sports Commission led by its Chairman William Ramirez and Executive Director Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy, Jr. for their support to football.”
The Philippines, which is one of two ASEAN nations to have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, will face four-time winners Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia in Group A.