Waiting game on for Filipinas after loss

PHOTO: Philippine Women’s National Football Team facebook page

After wrapping up a pair of friendly matches in Costa Rica, the Philippine women’s football team will now wait to see if two losses and a tied result were enough to bump up its rankings for the Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) Women’s World Cup draw.

The Filipinas ended their trip in the Central American country on a losing note, squandering a halftime lead before falling 2-1 on Wednesday (Manila time) to the squad known as Las Ticas in San Jose, Costa Rica.

It was the last match for coach Alen Stajcic’s squad before the draw takes place on Oct. 22 in New Zealand, which is cohosting next year’s World Cup with neighboring Australia.

But before that, Fifa is slated to release its latest world rankings on Thursday and the tabulations to hold a key in which pot the Philippines will be placed.

Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta earlier said the Filipinas, ranked 53rd, are currently in pot 4 and will need to jump at least eight places to move in a higher pot.

Carleigh Frilles’ opener put the Philippines ahead 1-0 on Wednesday, but Costa Rica took advantage at the hour mark with Raquel Rodriguez tying the game and Gloriana Villalobos firing the winner in the 68th. INQ