The Philippines Women’s National Team will play the biggest match of their lives when they face Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand in the final Group A match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 on Thursday night 12 April 2018 at 8:00 PM (Friday morning 13 April 2018 at 1:00 AM) at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan.
The Philippines are fresh off a 3-0 loss at the hands of China PR. Thailand, on the other hand, inflicted host Jordan with a 6-1 win to go second in Group A with a better goal difference of +1.
With a goal difference of -2 going to the final match day of the group stages, the Philippines will need a win over Thailand to clinch their place in the next round and qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
“(Qualifying for the Women’s World Cup) will be an opportunity for the players to show their skills and abilities with the 24 best teams in the world,” said head coach Rabah Benlarbi. “(At the same time), we want to play in the semi-finals (of the Women’s Asian Cup).”
The French coach also highlighted that Thailand is one of the the best teams in the region, but there will always be away to defeat them.
“The level of Thai football is very good technically,” added Benlarbi. “But, like all the teams in the world, they have a weakness and we will focus on their weaknesses.”
Should the Philippines drop points against Thailand, and if Jordan fail to get a result over China PR, they will play in the fifth place play-off against the third placed team in Group B. That match will determine the final team that will participate in the Women’s World Cup.
Photo from Mia Montayre