This is just the tip of the iceberg for the Philippines — Alen Stajcic
AUCKLAND — The dream’s not over.
It’s intoxicating, that first taste of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WC), and the Filipinas won’t rest until they get another and possibly make an even bigger impact next time.
“We’re definitely going to try to get back here in four years,” said goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel after their dream run ended with a 0-6 beatdown from former world and Olympic champ Norway.
“This isn’t the end of the Filipinas. We have a lot more in us and we have a lot of tournaments going on (after the WC) so we’re excited to keep going.”
They lived the dream when the elite football extravaganza officially rolled last July 20, showcasing their characteristic puso, unwavering faith and remarkable resilience against tremendous odds.
They battled opening opponent Switzerland with little jitters and a lot of fight before yielding, 0-2. Then with their feet wet, the troops of Alen Stajcic hit paydirt via a historic 1-0 nipping of host New Zealand led by the breakthrough header of Sarina Bolden and Player of the Match performance of Ms. McDaniel.
Sopie Roman Haug and the powerhouse Norwegians eventually pulled the plug on the Filipinas’ Round-of-16 aspirations with their masterclass performance in a high-stakes duel in front of Eden Park’s predominantly-Filipino 34,967-strong crowd.
Ever the believers, the Filipinas see a return trip in 2027 as a huge possibility.
“We just need to continue what we’ve been doing and (not) change up things too much and continue to learn and grow and trust the process,” said Ms. Bolden.
“Four years is a long time from now, but the process starts now and (figure out) how we can get better, how can we grow from this, learn from this. And I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll be a better team for it.”
Alen Stajcic, the former Australia Matildas coach who helped whip the Filipinas into World Cup shape, underscored the importance of sustaining the momentum.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg for the Philippines,” he said.
“For them to continue this legacy, they need investment in grassroots program in the Philippines. We can go through a lot of spectrum that needs to happen to grow on this point.
“But what it is a starting point of a new history, one where these players hopefully inspire a new generation of young kids to want to be future national team players and do what these players have done this week.” — Olmin Leyba
