Coming off their first training session at the Olympic Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Philippine Women’s National Team co-captain and defender Hali Long cannot hide her excitement at the face that the Filipinas are already in New Zealand for the World Cup.
“We’ve been working hard to get this moment,” said Long. “But the hard work is not gonna stop, and we’re all excited for us to see where we’re at.”
The Filipinas arrived Monday morning in New Zealand amidst an adoring Filipino crowd at the airport.
“We had a nice welcome by the Filipino community at the airport and in the middle of the work week, so it was really nice to see them have that like of intimate small welcome,” added the defender.
With the Filipinas’ campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ just a few days away, Long is relishing every moment.
“It’s about to be game time so we really have to remember all the little details we’ve been taught along this 18 month journey,” furthered Long. “We have done all of our fine tuning but it’s finally time to prove and show what we’re made of.”