Philippine nationwide ladies’s soccer staff head coach Alen Stajcic stated he couldn’t have requested any extra of his staff regardless of a 6-0 hammering by Norway on Sunday which ended their Women’s World Cup journey.
“They are a classy team and they picked us apart. We tried hard all the way to the end and I am proud of the heart and spirit of our team,” stated Stajcic after the sport at Eden Park in Auckland.
“They fought to the end. From that perspective it has been an amazing World Cup. The players have punched so far above their weight.”
The Filipinas got here into their closing sport in Group A recent from a surprising victory over co-hosts New Zealand, their first ever World Cup win on their debut look on the event.
Another win towards the previous champions would have taken them by way of to the final 16 however they by no means recovered after Sophie Roman Haug scored two early targets for the Norwegians.
A Caroline Graham Hansen strike made it 3-0 at half-time, and an Alicia Barker personal aim coupled with a Guro Reiten penalty meant it was 5-0 early within the second half.
The Philippines had substitute Sofia Harrison despatched off earlier than Roman Haug accomplished her hat-trick, and the rout, in stoppage time.
Despite the end result, the Philippines gamers nonetheless took the acclaim at full-time of their noisy assist, which made up the vast majority of the gang of near 35,000.
“It felt like a home game,” stated Stajcic, the Australian who has beforehand coached his residence nation on the Women’s World Cup.
“To bring football to life in the Philippines has been a moment you can’t turn back from.
“These gamers have actually left their mark and left a legacy for future generations. I can not ask any extra. They gave all the things.”
Stajcic, who took over in 2021, called on football authorities in the Philippines to increase investment in the grassroots game in the country to give them a chance of returning to future World Cups.
Their starting line-up against Norway featured eight players of Filipino heritage who were born in the United States.
Others were born in Australia, Canada and Norway.
“I hope we have now planted the seeds of the longer term generations eager to develop into footballers,” said Stajcic.
“It is an efficient step however loads of issues need to occur to take care of it as a result of we’re ranging from one million miles again in actuality.”
Asked about his own future as coach, Stajcic added: “It’s a bit early for all these questions.”
“We will replicate on that for now and within the coming days we’ll begin planning for the longer term.”
—Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
