Filipinas begin their Fifa Women’s World Cup campaign in New Zealand. –MARLO CUETO
Plenty of storylines could come out during the course of the Philippine women’s football team’s maiden foray in the Fifa Women’s World Cup, namely its performance, possible breakthrough and questions once the campaign ends.
With their historic stint set to start Friday, the Inquirer came out with stories that could factor out during the course of the Filipinas’ stay in New Zealand—or if something magical happens—and Australia.
FIRST GOAL
The Philippines’ Sarina Bolden celebrates a goal against Vietnam during the Women’s Asian Football Federation (AFF) semifinal match at the Rizal memorial colliseum in Manila on July 15, 2022. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
It will be one of the most anticipated moments once the opening whistle has been blown for the debut match against Switzerland in Dunedin on Friday. It may come from a Sarina Bolden strike, a Hali Long header, or from unlikely sources.
But the quality of opponents they’ll face Down Under may make the search for that elusive goal a challenge for the Filipinas during those three historic matches. Those supporting the gallant ladies are hoping that won’t be the case.
BEST CHANCE OF WINNING
Switzerland and Norway are huge favorites to roll past the Filipinas when the latter faces the two European sides on Friday and July 30, thus the notion that New Zealand may be the best opportunity for coach Alen Stajcic’s squad to secure a result.
The Philippines took on New Zealand in September, with the Football Ferns taking a 2-1 win, but not before the Filipinas led at the half on Bolden’s opener before a penalty led to the equalizer and Ali Riley scoring the go-ahead goal late in the match.
Leaning on what transpired in Fullerton, California could be a tricky thought, since New Zealand not only will play before thousands of supporters, but it opened the World Cup on a high by claiming a shock 1-0 victory over Norway on Hannah Wilkinson’s second-half goal.
But as they say, the ball is round.
SARA EGGESVIK FACES NORWAY
Sara Eggesvik had an impressive debut for the Filipinas. —AFF PHOTO
The final Group A match will be a unique situation for the Filipinas midfielder. Eggesvik was born in Bodo to a Norwegian father and a Filipino mother who hails from Davao and had stints with Norway’s youth teams prior to making her senior debut for the Philippines in 2022.
Eggesvik probably had dreams of possibly facing some of Norway’s best players, like the renowned Ada Hegerberg. Now she gets the chance to do that when the two squads play in Auckland.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER/S
Regardless if it’s a storybook run or a string of lopsided defeats, at least one or two will come out and get noticed for whatever positives they’ll show during the World Cup run. That may result in opportunities any of the players, given the stage the Filipinas are in.
STAJCIC’S LAST DANCE?
Philippine women’s football team coach Alen Stajcic. AFC PHOTO
The World Cup will be the tailend of the Australian-born coach’s contract which he signed in March 2022 after steering the Filipinas to a place in history. There’s no question that keeping Stajcic will help continue whatever gains the national team has made since accepting the role in late-2021.
A story from an Aussie outlet, however, suggested that the Perth Glory, a men’s domestic club in the A-League, is entertaining the prospect of tapping Stajcic once his contract is up. Losing Stajcic will be a big blow to the Filipinas program, especially with the Asian Games and the second round of the Olympic qualifiers on tap.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?
Philippine football has been on a rollercoaster ride since 2010, when the Azkals stunned Vietnam in the group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup. It triggered a renaissance, as well as the eventual rise of the Filipinas on the women’s side.
Moments like the aforementioned “Miracle in Hanoi,” the World Cup clincher in the 2022 Asian Cup and the triumph in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship are waiting for another to join them on the exclusive list. Will that happen in the World Cup?