Filipinas’ Flanigan, Maniti to see action in AFF U18 tilt

FILE – The Philippine women’s football team in the AFF Women’s Championship 2022. – Bella Flanigan (14) will see action again for the Philippines, this time in the AFF U-18 Women’s Championship in Palembang, Indonesia. PFF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Two members of the Philippine women’s football team that won the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship will see action in a regional U-18 tournament in Palembang, Indonesia.

Bella Flanigan and Chantelle Maniti are among those in Palembang for the AFF U-18 Women’s Championship where they’ll lead the squad’s bid to secure at least a semifinal berth in Group B.

The girls open their campaign on Monday against Australia before facing Myanmar on Wednesday and Malaysia on Friday at the Jakabaring Stadium.

Flanigan made six appearances, including three starts during the Filipinas’ run to the AFF crown and scored her lone goal during the 7-0 rout of Singapore in the group stage.

Maniti played just once for coach Alen Stajcic’s squad, coming off the bench in the second half of the match with Singapore.

Other members of the squad are Aspen Dunn, Andrea Evangelista, Samantha Nicole Link, Alexis Louise Tan, Stella Maria Divino, Elisha Flor Lubiano, Maxine Pascual and Jenny Perez, Micha Pauline Santiago, Rae Micaela Tolentino and Kylie Anne Yap.

Also in the U-18 roster which will be handed by ex-women’s senior team mentor Let Dimzon are Florence Lhei Ycong, Isabella Noelle Alamo, Meagan Andrea Alforque, Mish Castanares, Kuza Stephan Colina, Francesca Crespo, Jade Anne Jalique, Sophia Lyttle, Karen Mae Mangantang, Celina Beatrice Salazar, Mikaela Jaqueline Villacin, Angely Alferez, Jodi Mae Banzon and Jonaly Lucban.