The New Zealand and Australian embassies held a pre-departure send-off for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Philippine ladies’s soccer group in its official residence on Thursday.
The occasion was attended by New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Tim Given, Australian Counsellor and Acting Deputy Head of Mission Thanh Le, Philippine Football Federation officers and Filipinas gamers Hali Long and Inna Palacios.
Given highlighted the significance of the nationwide group’s achievement in Philippine sports activities.
“Gusto ko sanang batiin at pasalamatan ang lahat ng manlalaro ng Team Filipinas. Success is the ultimate level of hours of arduous work, dedication, perseverance, and making it to the World Cup is an superior achievement! It is a testomony to the Filipino spirit, unity, and sportsmanship. Proud kaming lahat sa inyo at could kumpyansa kami na bibigyan nyo ng matinding laban ang New Zealand Football Ferns,” said Given.
(“I wish to thank the entire gamers of Team Filipinas. Success is the ultimate level of hours of arduous work, dedication, perseverance, and making it to the World Cup is an superior achievement! It is a testomony to the Filipino spirit, unity, and sportsmanship. We are all happy with you and assured that you’ll give the New Zealand Football Ferns a superb combat.”)
The Filipinas will play their group stages in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Le looked forward to having the team in Australia for the next rounds of the tournament, if they are able to advance.
“Like Filipinos, Australians love sport. We worth inclusiveness, teamwork, and a good go in sport. We want extra successes for ladies in sports activities and we rejoice the success of the Filipinas as they take an enormous step in subsequent month’s competitors on the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Le said.
The Filipinas will also train in Australia before heading to New Zealand.
PFF president Mariano V. Araneta thanked both embassies for their efforts in supporting the national team.
Long and Palacios also thanked the two embassies for welcoming them.
“We’re actually excited to reach there in Australia and New Zealand and meet our kababayans there,” Long mentioned.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup can be held from July 20 to August 20 in New Zealand and Australia. Aside from New Zealand, the Philippine group may also play Switzerland and Norway within the group stage.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
