The Philippine Women’s National Team will see action in a competition in Europe for the first time as the Filipinas vie in the Pinatar Cup 2023 from 15 to 21 February 2023 in San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia, Spain.
Sustaining their buildup for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Filipinas will be facing higher-ranked European sides Wales, Scotland and Iceland in the Pinatar Cup 2023.
The Filipinas’ first match will be against 32nd ranked Wales on 15 February. Their next opponent will be 25th ranked Scotland on 18 February, before they wrap up their campaign against 16th ranked Iceland on 21 February. All matches will be played at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
Scotland qualified to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019, but missed out on next year’s tournament. Wales and Iceland have yet to qualify for the FWWC.
“Competing in the Pinatar Cup is a great opportunity for the Filipinas to familiarize themselves with European teams ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr.
“It’s definitely a big help to the team’s preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”
PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes expressed gratitude to tournament organizer IAST Sports for including the Filipinas in the roster of teams for this year’s competition. The FIFA window in February is a Type II window where teams can play a maximum of three matches.
“We thank IAST Sports, led by its CEO David Vailing, for extending their invitation to the Philippine Women’s National Team in the Pinatar Cup,” said Gastanes. “It will be exciting to see our Filipinas play against strong teams from Europe.”
Filipinas team manager Jefferson Cheng said the matches will allow the coaching staff led by Alen Stajcic to gauge the team’s readiness in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are leveling up our preparations for the FWWC and the team will benefit playing against stronger more experienced teams,” said Cheng.
The Filipinas will be playing in Europe for the first time since June 2022 when they won back to back friendly matches against Bosnia Herzegovina in Slovenia.
The Filipinas are slated to face Switzerland, co-hosts New Zealand, and Norway in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Filipinas is supported by team manager Jefferson Cheng, the Philippine Sports Commission, and MVP Sports Foundation.
