The newly formed U14 Girls Team claimed their first victory in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Regional Championships 2014 being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from June 10 to 15, 2014.
Composed mostly of first-time national players, the Philippine girls squad beat Singapore with a 6-0 victory on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 during the first day of the tournament.
Goal scorers include Itsuko Bacatan of Cebuy City with 2 goals, Joyce Semacio of Davao City, Arantxa Mari Trebol of Cebu City and Francesca Anne Marie Suerte of Iloilo City. The Singaporean team also conceded an own goal at the 60th minute.
The Philippines is set to play against front-runner Vietnam on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, and Cambodia on Thursday, June 12, 2014 to finish their Group A matches. Other countries participating in the tournament include Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia which are playing in Group B. The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, June 14, 2014 and the Finals on June 15, 2014.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed confidence in the team and coaching staff. “This is a good start for our U14 Girls Team and we congratulate them and their coaches for their first victory. We wish them the best in their upcoming matches. This win is a big boost not just for the team but also for girls football in the Philippines,” said Mr. Araneta.
This year’s squad flew straight to Vietnam from a 5-week camp in Los Banos Laguna where they trained after a series of scouting sessions held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in April 2014.
“Our U14 Girls’ victory over Singapore shows the potential of women’s football in the Philippines. The talent we saw in the selection process was very promising and this victory is a testament to that. This is something we can truly build on. We are proud of our girls and we are hopeful for their successful campaign in Vietnam,” said PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.
The National U14 Girls Team is composed of the following players and coaches:
| ARTHUR | STACEY ANN | DF | DUMAGUETE CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| BACATAN | ITSUKO MAREE | FW | CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| BAROIN | JENNIFER | DF | MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| CAPARIDA | PRINCESS BETH | DF | SAN CARLOS CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| DELA CRUZ | GLYNNES | MF | ROMBLON, PHILIPPINES |
| ELAURIA | YASMIN MAY | GK | OLONGAPO CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| FRANCISCO | PATRICIA ERIKA | FW | DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| GUMILAO | ALEXANDREA | GK | ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, PHILIPPINES |
| HAILS | CHLOE ANNE | FW | BACOLOD CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| ISULAT | TEJANEE MARIE | MF/DF | SAN CARLOS CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| JUMAWAN | JAN REESE | DF | CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| OTOM | TENELYN | DF | AGUSAN DEL SUR, PHILIPPINES |
| SEMACIO | JOYCE | MF | DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| SIMONS | MIKAYLA GRACE | MF/FW | MARYLAND, USA |
| SUERTE | FRANCESCA ANNE MARIE | FW | ILO-ILO CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| TREBOL | ARANTXA MARI | MF | MANDAUE CITY, PHILIPPINES |
| VELEZ | ANNIKA BO | FW | MANILA, PHILIPPINES |
| WHALEY | LINDSAY | FW | OLONGAPO CITY, PHILIPPINES |
Coaching Staff
| Head Coach | DIMZON | MARNELLI |
| Assistant Coach | LANDAGAN | JOYCE |
| Goalkeeper Coach | MARQUEZ | MELISSA CHRIS |
| Physiotherapist | SORIANO | KATHERINE ANNE |