The Filipinas are set to take part on the world stage for the first time as they square up against Switzerland in their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Since earning qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 18 months ago, Head Coach Alen Stajcic has assembled a team that has grown together, playing in 39 A international matches, and going toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best, which the Australian coach admits “was an unbelievable learning experience.”
“We’ve really hit full throttle in experiencing different teams around the globe, different styles of football and different cultures.”
“We’ve given all the players every opportunity to develop, to grow, to improve as individuals and as a group.
“This World Cup is not only about this moment for the Philippines, it’s about growing the team forever.
“With that experience, we go into every game believing we can win and thinking we can win and now that we’ve done everything, we can to prepare to be confident going into this World Cup.”
With the biggest part of the story set to begin today for the Filipinas, the experience of being at the World Cup still hasn’t sunk in.
Defender and co-captain Hali Long says the Filipinas are not only out there to “give it their all”, but they also want to inspire future generations back home to dream, work hard and enjoy the sport they love.
“I was dreaming about inspiring people through doing something that I love, and I didn’t know it was going to be football, but here I am and doing that for the country and the people that I love.”
“We want it to be attainable, reachable for the little girls back home, we just want it to be on international television for them to see us play, for them to see us with the flag and to see us with the crest for the first time.
“We dreamt of this and if they have big dreams and do the hard work, it’ll be easier for them one day and hopefully they can see themselves out there just like us.”
Switzerland is currently ranked 20th in the FIFA World rankings and have been quite lethal in front of goal with experienced forwards Ana Marie Crnogorcevic, Ramona Bachmann & Fabienne Humm sharing 354 caps between them and 152 goals.
Alisha Lehmann, Meriame Terchoun and Amira Arfaoui make up the list of forwards within the Swiss side.
The Inker Grings coached side earned qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup late last year after a narrow win against Wales in the playoff tournament.
“They have nothing to lose, but being a Filipino in any sport, you’re the underdog” Long said.
“But that’s where we thrive, we love to punch above our weight, punch above the ceiling and we’ve constantly done that over the past 18 months to get to where we are now.
“Regardless of our age and experience and what we’ve gained over the last 18 months, you can’t put a price on it.
“The knowledge and habits we’ve gained and the respect we’ve garnered, I don’t think anyone can discredit us and we’re gonna go in and give it our absolute all.”
