THE QUEST for a spot in the 2020 Olympic Games for the Philippine national women’s football team got under way on Sunday in round one of the Asian Qualifiers in Tajikistan.
Composed of players culled mostly from teams playing in the Philippine Football Federation Women’s League 2018 and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Malditas are hoping to do well in the tournament happening from Nov. 4 to 13 to advance to the next round and keep their Olympic hopes alive.
The Philippines is bracketed in Group A along with Singapore, host Tajikistan, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei.
Tournament format sees winners in the four groups, runners-up and two best third-placed teams advancing to the second round.
The Malditas were to open their group campaign against Singapore later yesterday.
Making up the Philippine women’s team are goalkeepers Inna Palacios, Nicole Reyes and Kimberly Parina; defenders Ivy Lopez, Hannah Pachejo, Hali Long, Analou Amita, Alesa Dolino, Patricia Tomanon and Mea Bernal; midfielders Katyleen Rodriguez, Irish Navaja, Hazel Lustan, Sara Castaneda, Charise Lemoran, Kyla Inquig and Patrice Impelido; and forwards Shelah Cadag, Martie Bautista and Alisha Delcampo.
The head coach is Marnelli Dimzon and assisted by coaches Gerald Orcullo and Melo Sabacan with Prescila Rubio as team trainer. Team manager is Jefferson Cheng while the team’s head of delegation is Lalaine Bautista, PFF Women’s Football Committee chairperson and general secretary of Quezon-Battings RFA.
“The PFF wishes the Philippines Women’s National Team all the best for the 2020 Olympic Football Tournament Asian Qualifiers Round 1,” said PFF general secretary Edwin Gestates in a message.
“This is the second time that the team will travel to Tajikistan for a qualifier, and we hope that they perform well to advance to the second round,” he added.
The Malditas are angling to build on their spirited showing previously in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 last April and the AFF Women’s Championship 2018 in Palembang last July.
After Singapore yesterday, the Philippine team is to face Tajikistan on Nov. 8, followed by Mongolia on Nov. 11 and Chinese-Taipei on Nov. 13.
If the Malditas succeed in advancing to the next round, they begin play in April 2019. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
