THE Philippine Football Federation is keen on keeping the national women’s team and its coaching staff, led by Aussie mentor Alen Stajcic, intact for the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games in May as part of the intensive build-up of the Filipina booters for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
During the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum yesterday, PFF President Mariano Araneta Jr. and General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes said they are optimistic they can convince the players and Stajcic to take part in the Vietnam SEA Games, and likely make history in the meet.
“There is a good chance of retaining the team, especially when we point out to them that immediately after the Asian Cup, the Southeast Asian Games will be part of their World Cup preparations for 2023,” Araneta said.
“There is a strong possibility that we will be sending very much the same team for the SEA Games, in fact six of them are already in Manila, including veteran goalkeeper Inna Palacios, and about 10 from the US who could also join them in Vietnam,” Gastanes said.
Aside from the Vietnam Games, also lined up for the team is the Asean Football Championships in Manila and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“These are the three tournaments lined up for our team as part of the preparations for the World Cup,” Araneta said.
The two officials disclosed the future plans for the Pinay booters, who scored a historic milestone two days ago with a stirring 4-3 triumph on penalties over Chinese-Taipei in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinals in Pune, India.
Stacjic and his charges booked a ticket to the semifinals for the first time in the continental soccer showcase and also clinched a spot to the prestigious FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“In the SEA Games, the team will also be facing Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, squads that are ranked higher than us in the (FIFA world) ratings,” stressed Araneta.
“We can tell them that we have never won a SEA Games football gold medal, so they could be motivated to achieve history there, too,” the football chief added in the public sports program supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., San Miguel Corp., Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Amelie Hotel and Braska Restaurant.
Gastanes said that strikers Quinley Quesada and Sarina Bolden, who are playing for clubs in the Japanese League, could also be tapped for the SEA Games national team duty. In the 2019 edition of the games, the Philippines reached the semifinals.
Araneta and Gastanes credited the handling of Stajcic and his coaching staff in steering the Filipina footballers to new heights, and are eager to begin negotiations of extending their contracts until the World Cup to be held July 20 to Aug. 20, 2023 Down Under.
“I believe that the coaching of Stajcic and his staff was the missing puzzle in our getting to the next level. To instill the confidence that our players can compete with the best in the world, and I believe that they have done that,” Araneta pointed out.
Gastanes said renewing the contracts of Stajcic and his coaching staff, who are expected to drop by Manila after the Women’s Asian Cup, would be among their foremost priorities.
“Our first object of business after the Asian Cup is to negotiate for a contract extension of Stajcic and his team, after which we can finalize our World Cup preparations,” he said.
Gastanes said Stajcic, 48, a two-time World Cup mentor, has a complete staff composed of a fitness coach, analytics, assistant, a video coordinator, and a ground coach currently doing their thing in the Asian Cup.
“Gusto nating makuha pa rin ‘yung serbisyo ng kanyang team. Hindi siya biro. He is one of the best women coaches in the world,” Gastanes said.
Fueled by the adrenaline and the confidence of their victory over the Taiwanese, Araneta and Gastanes did not rule out another possible upset by the phenomenal PH booters when they take on South Korea in the semifinals tomorrow.
“Our team is very disciplined on defense and we also have good strikers like Bolden and Quesada, so I think it is going to be a good match. With what our team has achieved already anything is possible. Malay mo, may silat,” Araneta said.
“We have big and tall players who can match up with the South Koreans. With the way they are performing — who knows? — our team can pull off a surprise,” Gastanes echoed.
