The Philippines Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their maiden Pinatar Cup marketing campaign with a troublesome 0-5 defeat to Iceland, the workforce’s largest margin of defeat in twelve months.
This loss follows slender defeats for the Filipinas to Wales and Scotland within the match held in Murcia, Spain.
While outcomes of the video games weren’t in our favor, it may be mentioned that the workforce’s important aims coming into the match – gaining expertise and studying learn how to play towards high quality opposition, have been by and enormous met.
With the FIFA World Cup correct beginning 5 months, it was crucial that the Filipinas use these FIFA home windows to collect all obtainable gamers to coaching camps, play collectively, and develop sharpness and familiarity forward of the massive dance in New Zealand.
Here are 5 issues we realized from the Filipinas’ Pinatar Cup marketing campaign.
1 Filipinas get a glimpse of what to anticipate in World Cup
If the Filipinas ever questioned what it will be prefer to play in a World Cup group stage, then they have been definitely given a style of issues to come back within the recently-concluded Pinatar Cup.
From the chilly climate to utilizing the official match ball, from the standard of the opposition to Coach Alen Stajcic’s squad rotation, this match offered a great setting as to what the workforce can count on in July.
In the world sport, gamers are taller, fitter, stronger, quicker. Errors might be uncovered, and punished severely, and because the sport towards Wales confirmed, a momentary lapse in focus and judgment may be the distinction between a clear sheet or defeat.
Against Southeast Asian competitors, the Filipinas may have used their physicality to the hilt, however will probably be not be the identical case towards equally if no more bodily opponents and this match would have ready the workforce for that eventuality.
2 That mentioned, Filipinas not overawed by the event
Playing a lot increased ranked opponents in Iceland (sixteenth), Scotland (twenty fifth) and Wales (thirty second), the Filipinas knew it was going to be robust to get outcomes towards these nations.
But the 53rd ranked Philippines got here into the match understanding that matches towards higher and high quality opposition would put together them and may solely serve them in good stead.
The Philippines went to toe-to-toe towards Wales and Scotland, and arguably gave each increased ranked opponents a run for his or her cash regardless of the hole in world rankings.
In the primary half towards Scotland, the Filipinas employed a excessive urgent sport at occasions to attempt to win the ball, which resulted in Scotland having issue creating their very own possibilities.
Playing towards gamers who play membership soccer in England, Spain and Germany generally is a daunting prospect, however the Filipinas largely greater than held their very own and with extra incisive passing, may have created some probabilities of their very own.
3 Players made their case for World Cup squad
Coach Stajcic has been clear that his choice for his World Cup squad may have ‘no room for sentiment’, making this Pinatar Cup marketing campaign an vital gauge as to who will make the ultimate listing of 23 gamers to Dunedin, New Zealand.
The gamers rose to Stajcic’s problem.
Hali Long and Quinley Quezada began in all three video games for the Filipinas and have put in a strong shift for the nation.
By her requirements, goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel might be disillusioned with herself and can look to bounce again from a forgettable efficiency towards Iceland, whereas mainstays Sofia Harrison and Jessika Cowart may have made their instances for inclusion.
Merryll Serrano, who scored the lone purpose for the Philippines this match, has been a revelation in midfield.
Alicia Barker has additionally given Stajcic choices on the proper facet of defence, together with her bodily presence an vital device towards larger opposition.
Captain Tahnai Annis additionally began in all three video games, and whereas she put in a strong shift at left wing, a case could also be made as as to whether taking part in centrally is the place the workforce can greatest maximize her strengths in ball distribution.
Sara Eggesvik proved once more how important she is to the Filipinas’ marketing campaign, offering equal components aggression and finesse within the heart of the park. Her understanding with the forwards – delivering high quality service to Sarina Bolden, as an illustration – might be vital for the Filipinas’ assault.
Jackie Sawicki’s return to full health couldn’t come at a greater time, as she goals to duplicate her title-winning type from the AFF Championships.
Tireless Bella Flanigan and Carleigh Frilles will get A for effort, and their aggressive runs could cause issues for opposing defenders, however they may want high quality service from the midfield.
4 Adidas deal one thing to be happy with
Current Men’s World Cup Champions Argentina.
Previous champions Germany, Spain, Italy.
And now, the Philippines Women’s National Football Team be part of these historic groups in sporting the famed three stripes model of Adidas.
Now, whereas athletic attire might not differ an excessive amount of per se among the many main manufacturers, the sponsorship of one of many world’s main sports activities manufacturers ignites a newfound delight for the gamers and workers, and invokes a way of ‘We’ve arrived.’
It will take time for the attire firm to develop and design a signature shirt that’s uniquely Filipinas, however with Adidas because the clothes shop, it’s hoped that followers may have simpler entry to the jerseys of the heroines, and that lastly, our girls on the sector can put on shirts of their proper sizes.
5 One step again, two steps ahead.
Defeats on the Pinatar Cup, particularly the heavy five-goal defeat to Iceland are troublesome to swallow, however greatest it occurred right here in Spain relatively than in New Zealand in July.
Filipinas workforce Manager Jefferson Cheng sums it up effectively: “It is a valuable experience to benchmark and understand which areas need improvement.”
“Our players will use this learning to get better individually and as a team.”
Despite the losses, participation within the Pinatar Cup for the Filipinas was a web constructive total. Onwards and upwards for the Filipinas, as they put together for the FIFA World Cup.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
