The Philippine nationwide girls’s soccer crew eased previous an overmatched Hong Kong facet to ebook a spot within the second spherical of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Qualifiers.
After convincing wins in opposition to Pakistan and Tajikistan, the Philippines solely wanted a draw of their remaining group match in opposition to Hong Kong. But exhibiting their newfound ruthlessness, the Filipinas dominated the match from begin to end, en path to a complete 4-0 victory and development into Round 2 of the qualifiers.
Here are 5 issues we discovered from the Filipinas’ masterful shows.
1.) Filipinas get the job executed
With the best of respect, a bunch comprising of Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Hong Kong mustn’t have troubled the Philippines on present type.
But as we all know, the attractive recreation of soccer generally is a humorous recreation, with many twists and turns. The Filipinas, nonetheless, averted any drama and completely dominated all opposition, scoring 16 targets with out reply en route to a few convincing victories.
Taking benefit of the worldwide break, the Filipinas have been at full energy and Coach Alen Stajcic had many choices to select from.
The women nonetheless had a job to do on the pitch although, and positively got here out of this run of video games filled with confidence with the outcomes.
2.) Filipinas’ depth means intense struggle for locations
Depth within the squad has meant that inside competitors for locations on the sphere is at an all-time excessive, which may solely be an excellent factor for a nationwide crew.
Against Pakistan and Tajikistan, Kiara Fontanilla was given begins in purpose forward of anticipated first selection Olivia McDaniel, and the Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper repaid the religion by shutting out each groups.
Central midfield is the place the Filipinas have probably the most choices, with any of Jackie Sawicki, Sara Eggesvik, Tahnai Annis, and Jessika Cowart capable of do the job. There was not even room within the squad for Jessica Miclat, who was an essential a part of the AFC Asian Cup and the title-winning AFF Championships marketing campaign.
It is subsequently a testomony to 16-year-old Bella Pasion’s high quality that not solely did she make the soar to the senior squad, she additionally made the beginning eleven alongside her extra skilled teammates.
In his time with Australia, Stajcic has been identified to offer alternatives to younger gamers and who is aware of, the younger Pasion may go on to develop into the following Sam Kerr.
3.) Who are the Filipinas’ greatest eleven?
Success with the ladies’s crew has followers giving Coach Stajcic unquestioned loyalty almost about crew and squad choice, greatest encapsulated within the mantra “In Staj we trust”.
But when push involves shove, who will begin in a should win recreation for the Filipinas?
These run of video games, with nearly an entire set of gamers to select from, has given us loads to digest.
The armchair followers may very well be forgiven for arising with the next conclusions:
Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou to guide the road.
Sawicki and Eggesvik within the heart of midfield.
Hali Long at centerback, flanked by Sofia Harrison on the left. McDaniel in purpose.
Annis, Quinley Quezada, and Meryll Serrano to struggle for the remaining midfield spots, with Dom Randle, Cowart, Alicia Barker, and Malea Cesar preventing for spots in defence.
But what about Eva Madarang (50 caps), Carleigh Frilles, and Reina Bonta and so many others?
As Stajcic casually remarked as soon as, “If Filipinas’ fans, who follow the team religiously, can’t name our best starting eleven, neither can our opposition.”
4.) Players cementing their place
With lower than 100 days left earlier than the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July, the race is on for gamers to cement their place within the 23 spots accessible for the flight to New Zealand.
And the likes of Serrano did her probabilities no hurt by her standout efficiency, notably in opposition to Hong Kong the place her well timed passes complimented her effectively taken free kick purpose.
Bonta, just lately signed by Brazil membership facet Santos FC, Maya Alcantara, and Alicia Barker staked their claims with strong performances, however the feel-good story of the week must be that of Chandler McDaniel.
Scorer of the successful purpose in opposition to Thailand within the 2022 Asian Cup, Chandler cruelly suffered a long-term damage on the finish of that match, ruling her out of motion for greater than a yr.
But she proved her value by netting three targets in three video games, and her eye for purpose will probably be one thing Stajcic will probably be contemplating when making his remaining squad choice.
5.) Up subsequent: SEA Games
Next up for the preventing Filipinas are the Southeast Asian Games, to be held in Cambodia in May, the place the Philippines are hoping to enhance on their bronze medal end final yr.
With these video games performed exterior of the FIFA window, among the gamers will not be accessible for choice.
The silver lining, as all the time, is that alternatives will probably be given to different gamers to show their value.
Grouped along with Vietnam and Myanmar, the Philippines is not going to have all of it their approach, which is able to maybe go well with Stajcic as he prepares the crew for the problem of the FIFA World Cup in July.
But on current imperious type, the Filipinas are rising from energy to energy, will rightly concern nobody, and ought to be among the many favorites to complete within the podium locations but once more.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
