Filipinas. PFF PHOTO
The Philippine women’s football team secured another friendly match against a highly ranked opponent in its continuing bid to hone its skills and secure a good draw for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup.
Weeks removed from winning the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship, the Filipinas return to action during the September international window against New Zealand, which will co host Fifa’s centerpiece women’s tournament with Australia.
Philippine Football Federation Nonong Araneta confirmed the earlier announcement made by the New Zealand squad which is ranked 22nd in the latest Fifa rankings.
The match will take place on Sept. 6 in California, where the Filipinas will set up camp for the Fifa window.
They’ll play at Titan Stadium inside the campus of Cal State Fullerton, located outside of Los Angeles.
New Zealand is the second opponent the Philippines has secured for at least the next two Fifa windows. Costa Rica, ranked 37th, will host the Filipinas in October for a pair of friendlies.
The Filipinas are hoping to use the friendlies to make a significant climb in the Fifa rankings before the World Cup draw takes place on Oct. 23.
Araneta earlier said that the Philippines, ranked 53rd, is currently in Pot 4 and will need to move eight spots higher by mid-October to move into Pot 3 and elude superior opponents in the group stage.