Filipinas hope to make PH a regular in World Cup competitions

The Filipinas have a lot to be happy about with the fulfillment of Fifa’s promise. —CONTRIBUTED
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As a portion of the roster and staff of the Philippine women’s football team left the country to begin the final stretch of its Fifa (International Association Football Federation) Women’s World Cup preparation, two of its veteran mainstays are hoping the Filipinas would be frequent flyers to football’s biggest stage instead of a one-hit-wonder.

“We have to prove to everyone and to the world na hindi tsamba yung ginawa namin (We have to prove to everyone and to the world that we did was no fluke),” goalkeeper Inna Palacios said as the team prepares for a four-week training camp in Sydney, Australia.

Palacios is one of the 29 players set to endure grueling sessions under coach Alen Stajcic before the provisional squad is trimmed down to the final 23-woman roster for the World Cup in New Zealand where the Filipinas will play all of their group-stage matches.

Familiar names

Names announced by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday are the familiar ones, headlined by strikers Sarina Bolden and Quinley Quezada, co-captain Hali Long and goalkeepers Olivia McDaniel and Palacios.

Tahnai Annis, who will share the captaincy with Long, Sara Eggesvik, Katrina Guillou, Eva Madarang, Carleigh Frilles, Anicka Castañeda, Jaclyn Sawicki, Sofia Harrison, Chandler McDaniel, Sofia Harrison, Jessika Cowart, Malea Cesar, Dom Randle, Jessica Miclat and Bella Flanigan are also going to compete for roster spots.

Also hoping to make an impression are Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Maya Alcantara, Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Ryley Bugay, Kaya Hawkinson, Meryll Serrano and Isabela Pasion.

From that list, six players will be cut for a squad that will hope to exceed expectations when it battles Switzerland, the host country and Norway.

“We don’t want this to be one time, big time, We want it to be sustainable,” said Long.

“We’re lucky to be there and to see the Philippine flag raised there. We haven’t been there yet, but what I would like to say is that we would like it there more often than just this one time,” she added.