PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. and PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes congratulated the resilience and fighting power of the Philippine Women’s National Team in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign in New Zealand.
The Filipinas battled Switzerland, hosts New Zealand, and Norway in three thrilling matches across three cities in New Zealand, culminating in one win and two losses in Group A.
With each match feeling like a home game, the same can be said in the Philippines and around the globe with fans flocking together to witness history unfold.
Araneta said: “Over the course of the last 18 months, the Filipinas united the country in support in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance. While they may have missed out on qualification to the knockout stages, they have achieved something greater, and that was to see the entire Filipino community in the Philippines and wherever they are around the world show their overwhelming support to the team. We recognize the hard work and sacrifices this team have made to make our World Cup dream a reality. Thank you very much to the entire Filipinas team, led by team manager Jefferson Cheng and head coach Alen Stajcic, you have made the Filipino nation immensely proud of this team. Maraming salamat, Filipinas!”
Gastanes said: “We are amazed on how the Philippine Women’s National Team became a beacon of hope and source of joy for every Filipino fan that supported the team during this historic world cup campaign. We have also seen the outpouring of support from Filipinos all over the world as showed in the numerous watch parties in the Philippines and all over the globe. While the team exits from the 2023 World Cup competition, their journey continues. Indeed, the heart and fighting spirit shown by the Filipinas will long be remembered in Philippine football history. So much thanks to team manager Jefferson Cheng and head coach Alen Stajcic for a wonderful job in pushing the team to a new level, one that will be etched in sporting history of the country.”
