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Post by cjeagle on Nov 4, 2022 9:10:15 GMT 8
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team returns to action this month as the Filipinas embark on a historic trip to South America for training camp and matches. The Filipinas continue their preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with an 11-day camp in Chile that will include two matches against the country’s national team. The first match is slated on 12 November at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar with the rematch set three days later at the Municipal dela Pintana in the capital Santiago. Both matches are authorized by FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). “The camp and the matches are historic as this will be the first time the PFF will be sending the team to South America,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta. “With less than a year before the Women’s World Cup, the PFF wants to make sure that the team continues to stay sharp and ready.” PFF general secretary Atty Edwin Gastanes expressed gratitude to the Football Federation of Chile for hosting the Filipinas for the camp and matches. “We are grateful to our friends from the Football Federation of Chile for their help,” said Gastanes. “Not only are they giving the Filipinas quality opposition with their women’s national team, but they will also provide good accommodations and facilities for the team to sustain their buildup for the World Cup.” Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng welcomed the opportunity to play a team of Chile’s pedigree. La Roja Femenina qualified for the 2019 World Cup. Ranked No. 38 by FIFA, they are in the continental playoff for the three remaining FFWC 2023 berths. “It’s a great opportunity for the team to continue testing their abilities and to improve,” said Cheng. The Filipinas are grouped with New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland in the World Cup next year. The team is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation and team manager Jeff Cheng. pff.org.ph/2022/11/04/chile-friendlies-set-for-filipinas/
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 5, 2022 10:21:31 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 5, 2022 10:23:25 GMT 8
Regulars missing : Jaclyn Sawicki(Western FC), Sofia Harrison(Werder Bremen), Jessica Miclat.
Still awaiting passports : Chayze Ying(Notre Dame commit), Angela Beard(Fortuna Hjørring)
Fil Norwegian Meryll Serrano who plays in the top tier in Norway will most likely make her debut in one or both of the games in Chile.
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 12, 2022 9:02:59 GMT 8
As stated in the above interview with Coach Staj and national team players Bolden and Ahnnis, Merryl Serrano mentioned in an article in Norway before leaving for Chile, that they will head to Australia this December with possibly one more friendly scheduled (also mentioned by PFF Sec Gen Gastanes during the PSA press conference) although it still needs final confirmation, making it a total of 30 international games for 2022 for the PWNT, the most of any country in the world. I wonder if that possible friendly is against Australia.
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 13, 2022 0:05:18 GMT 8
The Philippines battles Chile in the first of two friendly matches here on Saturday night as the Filipinas continue their FIFA Women’s World Cup buildup in South America. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. (6 a.m. Sunday in the Philippines) at the Estadio Sausalito, a pitch that could seat 22,000 fans right at the heart of this scenic, coastal city that is a two-hour drive from the capital Santiago. Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic welcomed the new challenge for his side, which will be playing South American opposition for the first time, just a month after playing Central American team Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica. “Playing South American opposition is a whole new ballgame for us,” said Stajcic. “The culture here is amazing. The football here is amazing. Not only do you have to beat the team, but the culture as well. It’s going to be a tough challenge for us, Chile has been to a couple of World Cup tournaments and improving as a team and they are still fighting for a World Cup spot next year.” Chile, led by the world’s top goalkeeper Christiane Endler, is entered in the playoff tournament in New Zealand next year. For Stajcic, playing here will only help the Filipinas get better in anticipation for their monumental task in the World Cup in New Zealand, where they will be facing the hosts and European teams Denmark and Switzerland. The Filipinas are also slated to meet Chile again on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in the Philippines) at the Municipal dela Pintana in Santiago, Chile. “It’s just another stepping stone building to the World Cup,” said Stajcic. “We’ve got a long way to go and we’ve got 7 to 8 months left and we want to play everytime we get together. There’s a lot of competitions for spots and every game is just vital.” The Filipinas are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation and team manager Jefferson Cheng. pff.org.ph/2022/11/12/filipinas-take-on-chile-challenge/?fbclid=IwAR1DVuon1vVUBPqrCSY874o7miu8KjDKuuhitas5tUiVew267BMz00RkkYA
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 16, 2022 8:29:28 GMT 8
The Philippines tied Chile in the first game 1-1 but lost 0-1 in the 2nd. They went down a man in the 2nd game early in the 2nd half after Eggesvik was issued her 2nd yellow which is I believe the first time in the Stajcic era that we were issued a red card and played with only 10 players on the field.
There were plenty of yellow cards issued in both games but more so in the 2nd game when they were practically being given out right and left in this highly physical encounter including one against Coach Stajcic herself.
I thought we played a better game in our loss today than the tied game a few days ago so I am pleased with the effort. They never gave up even when they were down a man after Eggesvik got her 2nd yellow. In fact I thought we became even more dangerous on offence down a man than with a full team earlier in the game. This is however the 5th straight game(3 losses and 2 draws) that the Philippines hasn't won a game ever since we began playing higher ranked teams outside our continent so we still have a lot of work to do if we want to get out of the group stage. It is a good experience for the girls to play all this stronger teams but like Coach Staj said they have to show us that they can win against higher ranked and better teams and not just be competitive with them at some point.
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 16, 2022 8:35:20 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 7, 2022 21:47:38 GMT 8
The PWNT is scheduled to play 2 friendlies against Papua New Guinea Women's Team on Dec. 11 and 15 which will be outside the FIFA Window. Many pros players will be missing because they were not released by their clubs including some from the Philippines who are in the midst of the final four in the PFF Cup. Some US college players will also be missing because they have to take the Finals or their respective school semesters. On the positive side they added a new player in Alicia Barker on defence who is a former gymnast who specializes in throwing the flip throw. Roster Barker plays right back and was recently named to the All-Conference Team of the Northwest Conference of the WPSL.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 7, 2022 23:08:26 GMT 8
The Philippine Women’s National Team has just commenced its last training camp for 2022, with two friendly matches against Papua New Guinea lined up at the Western Sydney Wanderers Park on December 11 and 15.
Coach Alen Stajcic has called up 23 players for the camp and the matches against a Papua New Guinea side that is ranked three places higher than the Filipinas at No. 50 in the FIFA rankings.
The two matches are part of the team’s preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where the Filipinas are in Group A with co-host New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway.
PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta and PFF Secretary General Edwin Gastanes reiterated their full support to the team in its bid to be in its best form for the World Cup.
“The PFF wants to make sure that the team continues its improvement and the best way to do that is through camps and friendly matches,” said Araneta.
“It’s been a banner year for the Filipinas,” said Gastanes. “The team is aiming to finish the year strong as we look ahead to next year’s World Cup.”
Team Manager Jefferson Cheng credited the coaching staff and the players for their hard work and achievements this year.
“I think we had a great year and we hope to end it with great results at our upcoming friendlies,” said Mr. Cheng.
“And I expect even more commitment, more passion and more hard work from the entire Team as we enter the Women’s World Cup year,” he added.
The Filipinas are a few weeks removed from their training camp in South America where they played Chile twice, drawing the first match, 1-1, in Viña del Mar and losing 0-1 in Santiago.
There were encouraging signs from the Filipinas which they hope they could build on as they continue their World Cup buildup.
“We’ve come so far in the last 11 months but the few months leading to the World Cup will be even more challenging as a group,” said Stajcic. “We have a tough road ahead of us if we want to be the best that we can be in the World Cup.”
The team is supported by Jefferson Cheng, the Philippine Sports Commission and MVP Sports Foundation.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 11, 2022 22:48:02 GMT 8
FT Philippines 5-1 Papua New Guinea Frilles (x2), Annis, Serrano, Madarang Carleigh Frilles netted two goals to lead the Philippine women's football team past Papua New Guinea, 5-1, in their international friendly in Sydney, Australia on Sunday. Frilles opened the scoring near the half hour mark as Jessika Cowart exploited a short goal kick and dispossessed the Lakatois. The defender found Frilles easily for the finish to put the Filipinas ahead in the 29th minute. Tahnai Annis doubled the World No. 53 team's lead nine minutes after as she rampaged down the left flank and got past the Papua New Guinea goalkeeper anew. Meryll Serrano then added the icing on the cake with her first international goal at the 77th minute. The Filipinas, who are deep into their final camp of the year in Sydney as they prepare for their maiden appearance in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, will play Papua New Guinea anew on Thursday, December 15. www.philstar.com/sports/202...-scores-brace-filipinas-rout-papua-new-guineaBarker made her debut in the 2nd half and Serrano/Abrahamsen her first goal in only her 2nd cap as a sub in the 2nd half as well. Eggesvik was serving her red card suspension in the game against Chile and did not play. They dominated the play for most of the match and could have scored a lot more but left quite a few hanging close to goal.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 11, 2022 23:40:33 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 12, 2022 4:14:03 GMT 8
Good performance by the PWNT considering the number of players that were not available for call up for various reasons or didn't play today: Eggesvik, Sawicki, Quezada, Long, Bolden, C.McDaniel, Beard, Ying, O. McDaniel, Bugay, Gabriel, Palacios many of whom are first choice starters normally.
All 3 relatively new additions to the team: Serrano-Abrahamsen, Bonta and Barker also played well today and has helped improved the depth and competition for WC spots this summer.
Both Bonta and Barker were part of Philippine ID tryout camps in the US when they were 15 y.o. many years ago and are only now getting their first opportunities to play for the Philippines in their early 20's after graduating college.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 14, 2022 8:55:12 GMT 8
Alicia Barker came on in the 77th minute against Papua New Guinea in her debut and played well at right back a position that she has played most of her career. The PWNT needed to add depth at the right wingback position and so far she seems tailor made to fit that role demonstrating in limited minutes her speed, technique and passing ability. www.facebook.com/watch/?v=909100847200439She didn't make her signature move, a flip throw in this game though since there wasn't enough space in the sidelines to do that.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 15, 2022 21:47:25 GMT 8
FULL TIME 2nd game Philippines 9-0 PNG Sara Eggesvik 11' Katrina Guillou 24' 72' (pen) Jessika Cowart 46' Tahnai Annis 53' (Own goal) 55' Quinley Quezada 65' 85' 87'
Another dominant performance by the Philippines as they used the game to practice their short passing tiki taka skills on the way to the goal helping unlock PNG's defensive counterattacking strategy.
Coach Staj was so impressed by Barker in the first game that she was given the starting role in the 2nd match at right back along with relatively recent additions at centerback Bonta and Alcantara. He felt so confident in the result that 16 y.o. goalkeeper Jota was even given a chance to earn her first cap in goal in the 2nd half.
Eggesvik controlled the proceedings at midfield and was her usual aggressive self winning and keeping possession of the ball in the PNG half of the field leading to many chances on goal led by Katrina Guillou.
Great game to end the year to cap the most successful year in PWNT history as they prepare for their maiden appearance to the FIFA Women's World Cup next year with 31 total games played in 2022.
Interestingly their 2 dominant wins against PNG should give the PWNT a slight bump in the FIFA rankings as the current OFC champions PNG(with the absence of New Zealand in that tournament) is surprisingly 2 spots ahead at 51st place of the AFF defending women's champion Philippines(Australia only sent their U23 team to the most recent tournament) in the standings.
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Post by cjeagle on Dec 16, 2022 23:34:20 GMT 8
Coach Alen Stajcic comments after the 2nd game:
"It was a much better performance from the other night,” said coach Alen Stajcic.
"It’s probably the first time this year that we controlled the game from start to finish and really something that we’ve spoken about. It was pleasing to see it happen within the game."
"I'm not really worried about the scoreline, but I’m really worried about the way we play and I thought it was a big improvement not only from last week on our ability to control the ball and control the game.”
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