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Post by cjeagle on Oct 29, 2021 10:22:00 GMT 8
Stajcic-coached PWNFT grouped with Australia in Asian Cup Newly-tapped Philippine Women’s National Football Team head coach Alen Stajcic will get to face his old team in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Philippines, ranked no. 68 in the world, slots in with no. 11 Australia alongside no. 39 Thailand and no. 96 Indonesia. The four countries compose Group B in the continental meet that will take place in India from January 20-February 6, 2022. Stajcic was the head coach of the Australia Matildas from 2014-2019. He steered the country to the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. The PWNFT takes on Thailand on the 21st, Australia on the 24th, and Indonesia on the 27th. Other games in the group are Australia versus Indonesia on the 21st, Indonesia versus Thailand on the 24th, and Australia versus Thailand on the 27th. Pool A has India, China, Chinese-Taipei, and Iran. Meanwhile, Pool C includes Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The top two teams in each group will automatically be seeded in the knockout playoffs. Then the top two teams among the third-placed teams will also advance. With Australia co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, only five nations from the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup can book a ticket towards the grand event while two more teams can make it through the inter-confederation play-off. The Philippines qualified for the meet after sweeping Nepal and Hong Kong in the qualifiers held back in September. Back in 2018, the PWNFT finished sixth in the tournament. tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/stajcic-coached-pwnft-grouped-with-australia-in-asian-cup/223388
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Post by cjeagle on Oct 29, 2021 10:22:32 GMT 8
Stajcic unfazed by PWNFT groupmates in AFC Asian Cup
Philippine Women’s National Football Team head coach Alen Stajic had a gut feeling that he would meet his former team Australia in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
And it came true on Thursday afternoon after the Philippines and Australia were pooled together along with Thailand and Indonesia in Group B.
“I knew somehow Australia would fall in my group,” quipped the 47-year-old Australian, who steered the Matildas to two World Cups.
But for him, he is just glad that they finally know their fate.
“Like any draw in the world, it provides some peculiarities,” he continued. “It’s an interesting tournament, the first time it goes to 12 teams. It’s different challenges, with different teams, and an extra match as well.
“The good thing part for us is we know who we play and targetting that first match and making sure we are ready to go when we get to India.”
The Philippines though has not had a good slate against their three poolmates.
The last time the women’s seniors team faced Australia was back in the 2008 AFF Championship that saw the Matildas blank the then-Malditas, 0-7, back on October 11 in Ho Chi Minh City.
July 9, 2018 was the last time the PWNFT faced Indonesia with the two squads ending the match with a 3-3 deadlock during the 2018 AFF Championship in Palembang.
A year later, Thailand defeated the Philippines, 4-2, in Chonburi during that year’s edition of the AFF Championship.
A lot though has changed during those times believes Stajcic.
“We are very confident that we got a good team. This team has progressed over the last four years and the last Asian Cup, they showed that they can compete with all the countries in the world and played in a playoff against South Korea,” he opined.
But for the team to nab one of the five outright tickets to the 2023 FIFA World Cup or even the two tickets for the inter-confederation playoffs, they have to have good training.
“If we can keep improving and keep working in the next two to three months, I’m confident we can steal one of those spots in the World Cup.”
tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/stajcic-unfazed-by-pwnft-groupmates-in-afc-asian-cup/223430
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Post by cjeagle on Nov 27, 2021 22:33:23 GMT 8
The Philippine Women's National Team has started their training camp in the US in preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup with former Australian head coach Stajcic manning the helm. thewomensgame.com/news/8216...9_XPcZeUvq63N71lnnikOiwtzStCgdq_GucTj5Jju-Csk “It was always going to happen,” Stajcic said of the draw which pits the Philippines in Group B alongside Australia, Thailand and Indonesia. “But the reality is Australia (who as co-hosts are not competing for one of five direct World Cup qualification spots up for grabs) don’t really matter in this tournament,” Stajcic told FTBL. “They are playing for experience and the prestige of winning the Asian Cup. But for us, and the others, vying for one of those spots is the biggest priority. “For the match against the Matildas I have to put my own ego aside and really focus on the big picture of the tournament. “We have Thailand and Indonesia in our group and to be honest they’re bigger matches for us. “As important as the Australia game might be for me personally it’s certainly not in the big picture for us. “They are 11 countries chasing those five spots and we have beat those nations that can qualify. “Australia are a super power, and measuring up against them right now is a daunting challenge. “We need to focus on the games we can win.” Stajcic is two weeks into a training camp in California ahead of the Asian Cup, attempting to craft and mould a raw group of players into a feisty and competitive unit. “These players do lack experience in major tournaments but there’s a great desire there to work hard and improve,” he explained. “The hunger and motivation is impressive - and there’s a passion to qualify for the first World Cup for their country, male or female. “There are a lot of players who’ve played a decent amount of football and a couple based in Japan. “The PFF have provided great resources and for me this is a chance to share my knowledge with a team that’s had to do it tough. “I think back to our experience in Australia of not qualifying for a World Cup in 32 years and to have the honour and privilege to possibly lead the Philippines to a first World Cup is a huge incentive for us. “I watched them play at the last Asian Cup, which was their first appearance there in 20 odd years. “They really surprised me: they lost 3-0 to China and 4-1 to Thailand. But they were definitely in every match, and I remember thinking with a little bit of structure and organisation (they could be far more competitive). “You are now starting to get players who have 30 to 40 caps under their belts. “It’s a tough - we’re the lowest ranked out of the 12 countries there and will have to punch above our weight to be successful.”
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 11, 2022 19:19:56 GMT 8
Philippine lineup to AFC Women's Asia Cup /photo/1 Philippines squad named for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 The stage is set for the Philippine Women’s National Team as it seeks World Cup qualification in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, which kicks off on 20 January 2022 in India. The Philippines take on Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia in Group B with matches to be played in Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, and Pune. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third placed teams, will qualify to the knockout stages. The 12 teams will also contest for the five qualification spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. Day Kick-off time Manila time Match Venue 21-Jan-22 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Thailand vs. Philippines D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai 24-Jan-22 3:30 PM 6:00 PM Philippines vs. Australia Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai 27-Jan-22 7:30 PM 10:00 PM Philippines vs. Indonesia Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex , Pune Head coach Alen Stajcic, who was appointed last October 2021, has been in the thick of the team’s preparation for the Women’s Asian Cup with a training camp held from November 2021 to January 2022 in Irvine, California, USA. “I’ve got a lot of hope and a lot of belief that we can actually achieve the goal,” said Stajcic. “The players are all aligned and driven to succeed as one and that’s what we have to do to give ourselves every possible chance of getting one of those spots for the World Cup.” The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) called up twenty-three (23) players to form the final squad for the competition. Team captain Tahnai Annis leads the team together with defender Hali Long. Forward Chandler McDaniel, who made an impact in the qualifiers, is also in the squad together with goalkeeper Inna Palacios, midfielders Jessica Miclat, Sara Castañeda, Camille Rodriguez, and defenders Tara Shelton and Sofia Harrison. WE League players Sarina Bolden (Chifure AS Elfen) and Quinley Quezada (JEF United Chiba Ladies), as well as midfielder Eva Madarang make their return to the squad after last seeing action during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Katrina Guillou, who plays for Swedish side Piteå IF, is among the newcomers to the squad along with Dominque Randle, Isabella Flanigan, Kiara Fontanilla, and former youth players Keanne Alamo and Carleigh Frilles. Stajcic also has an experienced coaching staff working along him in assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte, goalkeeping coach Ludovic Antunes, fitness coach Luca Tonetti, and former national team captain and now assistant coach Patrice Impelido. PFF Women’s Committee Co-Chairperson Jefferson Cheng is the Team Manager and has been actively supporting the team throughout the preparation. The team is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the MVP Sports Foundation. Players: Name Position Last Appearance Inna Kristianne PALACIOS Goalkeeper AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Kiara FONTANILLA Goalkeeper First tournament with WNT Olivia Alexandra DAVIES MCDANIEL Goalkeeper AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Dominque Jaylin RANDLE Defender First tournament with WNT Tara-Allison SHELTON Defender AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Hali Moriah LONG Defender AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Kristen Ryley BUGAY Defender AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Morgan BROWN Defender AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 Isabella FLANIGAN Defender First tournament with WNT Sofia Nicole HARRISON Defender AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Katrina Jacqueline GUILLOU Defender First tournament with WNT Malea Louise CESAR Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Tahnai Lauren ANNIS Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Kathleen Camille RODRIGUEZ Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Jessica Anne MICLAT Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Anicka Chabeli CASTAÑEDA Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Sara Isobel CASTAÑEDA Midfielder AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Keanne Micah ALAMO Midfielder From Youth NT (2019 Girls U16) Chandler Blue MCDANIEL Forward AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers Carleigh Bennet FRILLES Forward From Youth NT (2016 Girls U14) Sarina Isabel BOLDEN Forward 30th Southeast Asian Games Eva MADARANG Forward 30th Southeast Asian Games Quinley Mirielle QUEZADA Forward 30th Southeast Asian Games pff.org.ph/2022/01/11/philippines-squad-named-for-afc-womens-asian-cup-2022/
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 12, 2022 4:18:41 GMT 8
I count 5 players who play professionally in clubs from Europe and Japan. Majority of the team currently play or have played college soccer in the US NCAA including several newcomers and even 2 US based high schoolers. It is too bad they don't have Fil Canadian, US NCAA grad and former pro(top flight Iceland) Jesse Shugg anymore who scored a couple of goals for them in the last Asian Women's Cup and WC qualifying cycle and another pro Cathrine Graversen who plays in the Italian Serie B league.
Most of the 5 pros joining the national team play top flight football in their respective clubs in Europe and Japan except for Madarang whose club is in the Spanish Segunda Division Pro.
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 14, 2022 1:13:57 GMT 8
Apparently they mostly scrimmaged against WPSL teams in California made up of Division 1 college and ex college players, ex pros or girls looking to get to the professional level including some who had national team players from Mexico and El Salvador and other CONCACAF countries and got better results as their team chemistry got better.
Because of COVID quarantine restrictions they weren't able to arrange a friendly against teams from other countries.
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 14, 2022 1:22:35 GMT 8
Philippines’ Bolden and Quezada aiming high at India 2022 Four years ago in Jordan, the Philippines women’s national team achieved its best ever finish at an AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a sixth placed finish. Now with former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic at the helm, the PFF appear to be doubling down on their efforts to raise the profile and standard of its women’s game, both locally and on the global stage. Lifting the trophy at India 2022 might be a step too far for the side modestly ranked 64th in the FIFA rankings. However, qualification to a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup remains a tantalizing prize given the significant implications such an achievement would have on the development of the sport in a country where football trails behind volleyball and basketball in the popularity contest. Quinley Quezada and Sarina Bolden are key attacking components of this Philippines side and both play club football at professional level in the Japanese WE League. Taking time out from their current Los Angeles training camp, the duo spoke with The Asian Game to share their thoughts and expectations ahead of India 2022. Quinley and Sarina, thank you both for taking the time to speak with us amidst a busy training schedule. Right off the bat, how is the mood around the training camp? SB: “It’s been really good so far. The last time Quinley and I were together with the girls was back in 2019 and it’s been great seeing everyone again. I’m feeling a lot of nostalgia for the amazing experience we had last time around and I’m ready to do it all over again in India.” QQ: “Absolutely. As we are both based in Japan, we arrived a little later than everyone else. I was texting some of the girls and asking: ‘hey how’s the new coaching staff?’ and the response was really positive. Then for us to come in to such a positive environment has been really motivating and has us fired up for the games ahead.” Alen Stajcic brings a wealth of experience having reached back-to-back Women’s Asian Cup finals with Australia in 2014 and 2018. How would you describe his coaching style and what have been the focus points of his training exercises so far? SB: “Not only Coach Alen, but the whole coaching team has been great and we are learning a lot. His coaching style is very simplistic and it is easy to understand what he wants from us. When he asks certain things of us there is no confusion and the instructions are straight to the point. As a team we are picking up on things very quickly and are feeling well prepared for the tournament.” QQ: “Our new coaching team has come in and given us a solid foundation and structure to work within. On top of that they allow and encourage us to be creative and add our own spin on how we play.” SB: “His past experience with Australia provides us with another perspective. During training he’ll often refer to world class talent he’s worked with in the past, such as Sam Kerr, and mention some of things she’s done to raise her game in training. Naturally this is an ideal example for us to follow and raise our own game in doing so.” The Philippines are placed in Group B with Australia, Indonesia and Thailand. How are you feeling about your group stage opposition? QQ: “Honestly, I think it’s a pretty solid group for us. It’s a little similar to the group we drew last time around and again we have Thailand. We have a tough team in Australia and a team we have a good chance against in Indonesia. We definitely have a strong chance of getting 2nd or maybe 1st in the group standings.” SB: “I totally agree. When I found out who we got in the draw I was like ‘oh yeah!’. I’m also pretty excited to play against Australia. It’d be amazing to get the win against them, but I feel a draw would be a pretty good result too. Against Indonesia and Thailand I think we have a great chance to get a strong finish in the standings.” With the women’s game in the Philippines not as developed as it is in other Asian countries, what would World Cup qualification mean for the sport on a local level? QQ: “It would be crazy! A first ever World Cup qualification would really help the growth and development of the sport locally in the Philippines. Right now we have some support, but not to the extent where we can create local leagues for little girls to play in or to have professional league like we do in the (United) States and Japan.” SB: “I guess my hope is that by qualifying for the World Cup we can get the financial backing to establish a professional league and get more girls playing at a higher level in the Philippines. From there we can get a lot more homegrown talent into the national team system as well as pulling talent from all over the world such as the US and Europe.” We thank you both kindly for your input and wish you every bit of success at India 2022! The Philippines start their campaign on 21 January against Thailand at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. www.theasiangame.net/philippines-bolden-and-quezada-aiming-high-at-india-2022/
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 14, 2022 1:46:08 GMT 8
“This team can achieve the dream” – Philippines boss Stajcic full of belief ahead of India 2022 After leading Australia to the last two AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals, Alen Stajcic believes he can take Philippines further than they’ve ever been at India 2022. Having gone within one win of securing a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification when they finished fifth at the 2018 continental Finals in Jordan, the Southeast Asian nation appointed the former Matildas boss in October with the goal of reaching the global stage. A top-five finish in next month’s Finals will turn their FIFA Women’s World Cup dream into reality, and Stajcic is firmly of the belief that his new team has the ability to make it so. The 48-year-old, whose appointment as head coach was seen as a major boost, has been running the rule over his new charges at an extended pre-tournament preparation camp in California and has been encouraged by what he has seen. “I’ve got a lot of hope and a lot of belief that we can actually achieve the goal,” he said during a media call. “I’ve been to two (AFC Women’s) Asian Cups now and this will be my third. I know that, if we put our best foot forward, this team is capable of achieving that dream that we all talk about.” Stajcic is well placed to judge the Philippines’ chances. His two previous visits to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup came as Australia’s head coach, and he led them to the final on both occasions, losing to Japan 1-0 in Hanoi in 2014, before suffering the same fate in Amman four years later. But while Australia have spent the majority of the last four years in the world’s top 10 sides – and reached as high as fourth during Stajcic’s tenure – his new team are a relatively lowly 64th, which itself is an improvement on their position ahead of the previous Finals in Jordan. The biggest story on India 2022 draw day was Stajcic’s Philippines being drawn against the Australian side he parted ways with in 2019, and he is under no illusions regarding the task ahead of his new team. “We have to improve everything,” declared Stajcic, who will also face Thailand and Indonesia in Group B. “I remember the team at the last Asian Cup struggled to score against the big countries but was still very competitive overall for a first appearance in a long time. We definitely still have to improve in every facet. “We have to improve our defence, we have to improve our attack, we have to improve our transitions and our game management, so we’re working very hard. “One of the biggest challenges we’ve got is getting as fit as we can, because ultimately, like I keep saying to the group, It will be the fourth or fifth match in this tournament that will determine who goes to the World Cup, and it’s imperative that, when we get to the fourth or fifth match, we’re fit enough to give ourselves a chance to win that match.” Reaching the fourth or fifth match in India will hinge on how well Stajcic’s side navigate their group. The expanded 12-team format means the Philippines will be guaranteed to advance if they finish as one of the top two in Group B, while they could potentially also advance as one of the best third placed teams. From there, a quarter final win would not only take them to the final four in the race for the Asian title but secure a place in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while a defeat at that stage would send them into a playoff system. Stajcic - who was appointed after the team qualified for India 2022 with wins over Nepal and Hong Kong - knows matches four and five could be crucial, but he insists that no stone will be left unturned at any stage of the competition. “We’ve analsyed every opponent, and obviously I know Australia intimately,” he said. “I’ve played against Thailand so many times before and know that they’re a good quality opposition. They’ve been to the last two World Cups, so they need to be fully respected as a top-class opponent." “Australia are obviously a top nation. They’re the host of the next World Cup. I think they’ve dropped down to rank 11, but we’ve just seen them draw against the USA two or three weeks ago, so obviously they’re in the top few countries in the world and, for me, probably the favourites for the tournament. “Indonesia are a little bit more of an unknown. They’ve snuck through to their first Asian Cup, at least since I’ve been watching in the last 10 or 15 years, but you have to respect everyone who has reached this level. Everyone has had to do it in a hard way, especially during Covid. “Certainly, we go into the tournament with a lot of hope and belief, but we respect everyone, regardless of their standing going in.” The Philippines begin their India 2022 campaign against regional rivals Thailand in Navi Mumbai on January 21, and Stajcic will come face to face with Australia in a Mumbai blockbuster three days later, before they conclude their Group B campaign against Indonesia in Pune on January 27. www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/news/%E2%80%9Cthis_team_can_achieve_the_dream%E2%80%9D_%E2%80%93_philippines_boss_stajcic_full_of_belief_ahead_of_india_2022.html
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 14, 2022 19:27:28 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 20, 2022 0:07:40 GMT 8
PWNT braces for WAC challenge, eyes World Cup spot Having hurdled so many challenges just to get here, the Philippine Women’s National Team is hoping to make the most out of this campaign in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 that kicks off on Thursday. The PWNT won’t be seeing action until Friday when it clashes with regional powerhouse Thailand as action in Group B kicks off at the DY Patil Stadium here. Coach Alen Stajcic’s side is brimming with optimism as the Filipinas aim to advance from the group stage for a shot at one of the five spots at stake for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. Also in the Philippines’ group are Australia and Indonesia. The Top 2 teams in the group qualify for the quarterfinals together with the two best third placers from each of the three groups in the 12-team tournament. “We are here to try to create history for Philippine football,” said Stajcic, the former Australian national team coach, who was hired by the Philippine Football Federation last October specifically for this mission. “There are a lot of challenges. From players coming all over the globe, some were in clubs, some were not. Some of them have not played for a long time due to lockdowns brought by COVID. Game experience and matches have been very low so we started with that base. All of these players have worked extremely hard to get to this point.” Shortly after the Filipinas punched their ticket to India by topping their group in the qualifying round in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the PFF set up camp for the team in Irvine, California, training and playing tuneup matches against local sides from the first week of November until their departure to Mumbai last week. Majority of Stajcic’s 23 players for this tournament have Asian Cup experience in 2018 in Jordan, where the Philippines lost to South Korea in a playoff for a World Cup spot. Another subplot to the tournament is Stajcic’s reunion with Australia, which the Philippines will play against on January 24 at Mumbai Football Arena. Stajcic coached the Matildas for five years until 2019. Stajcic, however, said his team is focused on the duel with Thailand, which the Philippines has not beaten in 12 meetings. “We’re putting all our energy (in that match). But we’re looking at ourselves to be honest and in preparing the best we can and being ready for whatever happens, I know it’s a cliché but if you look too far ahead you can sometime lose a bit of focus so we’re focused on our own preparation.” pff.org.ph/2022/01/19/pwnt-braces-for-wac-challenge-eyes-world-cup-spot/?fbclid=IwAR2zS_VqdnKxQAOCjajpIFkDsdlcmtM0emg2W6gYaS-jWzAHmAVWAKj8-nk
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 20, 2022 15:38:22 GMT 8
Qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand is the goal and it all begins this week in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India. “I think the preparations are going well,” said national team forward Chandler McDaniel. “I think it’s nice that we got to fly out to India a few days earlier than we did as compared to Uzbekistan. I think it’s helping all of us to adjust because I think for a lot of the girls this is the longest flight they’ve ever been on. “I know for me it is. I think that with everything that has happened and all the coaches have done for us, the preparations are going very well.” After spending two months in a training camp in Irvine, California, in the USA under the supervision of coach Alen Stajcic and his staff, the players are raring to go. There is cautious optimism within the group that they can add to the country’s tally of four wins in 32 matches played in the continent’s biggest tournament. “I think the two months that we had really helped,” said midfielder Anicka Castaneda. “That was enough time for us to learn the playing style that he wants us to play. I think we’re all on the same page and we all know how he wants us to play.” “Not many teams get to train and live with each other consistently for two months,” added McDaniel. “I think that that is a big factor in what will help us succeed in this tournament. We mainly learned how Coach Alen wants us to play and his playing style and I think all of us adjusted very well and I think that we’re all on the same page. “I think that everything we learned in camp has definitely transitioned and made us into a different team while we’re in Mumbai so I think it will all help us going forward.” “I think we all have to live with the pressure but I think it’s ok and how I deal with it personally also, I like to pray a lot and just lift it up to the Lord because He is the only one who can truly help us and it’s all up to Him if it’s according to His plan. That’s how I personally deal with the pressure,” said Castaneda. “I think that everyone feels a little bit of pressure but I think that just shows how important it is. I feel like all of us feel some pressure because we all know how big of a tournament this is and how the country is depending on us. I don’t think the pressure is a bad thing but for me personally, I just… kind of take it step-by-step and you look to the Lord to give you the strength to keep going. Though I think. we also lean on each other,” echoed McDaniel. “I think we’re all dealing with it pretty well.” For six players in the squad, it will be their first time to represent the Philippines at the senior level in their careers. Katrina Guillou, Kiara Fontanilla, Dominique Randle, and Isabel Flanigan are making their first appearance for the Philippines while former youth players Keanne Alamo and Carleigh Frilles are making their seniors’ team debut. All of them bring something new to the table and they have assimilated well with those who cam been through different campaigns throughout the years. “I think that girls saw how we did in the last tournament and then they reached out (that) they want to come to camp because I know Katrina (Guillou), for example, is one of the newer players. I have never met her before and I have been here for a while,” said McDaniel. “I think it’s really good to have some new faces in and it’s really good because it will help grow the program because if more girls keep coming in, we can continue to get better and better.” The first test in Group B for the Philippines comes this Friday when they take on Thailand at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. The country is yet to register a win over the Thais and where better to end that drought than in the Asian Cup. “I know that the team has faced Thailand multiple times and there are a lot of girls on the team who have played them as well as some who haven’t played them before. But I think our confidence going in is very high,” said McDaniel. “We all know that this first game is very important and how we do in this first game will show how we will do in the rest of the tournament but I think everyone is going in with very high confidence and I think that everyone believes in each other because of the all the training camps we’ve done so I think it’s gonna be a very good game.” Ultimately, McDaniel, Castaneda, and the rest of the team are looking forward to shocking the continent to make it to the world stage. It is all about giving everything on the pitch and they would not have it any other way. “I think the message is just to focus on the goal and what we’re here to do – and that’s to make it to the World Cup,” said Castaneda. “I think the coaches really made it clear what the goal is and how we should focus on it.” tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pwnft-confidence-at-a-high-heading-to-thailand-showdown-says-mcdaniel/229808
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 21, 2022 0:19:47 GMT 8
The Philippines parades a well-prepared and one of its strongest ever national teams after pitching camp in the United States starting November. Two of the goal scorers from the Asian Cup qualifiers last September banner the lineup. These are skipper Tahnai Annis, who has seen action in the UEFA Women’s Champion’s League for the Icelandic club Þór/KA, and Chandler McDaniel, who played US NCAA Division I football for the Milwaukee Panthers. Three of the PWNFT’s most prolific offensive weapons are back. Eva Madarang of the CD Pozoalbense in Spain’s Segunda División Pro and Japan WE League’s Sarina Bolden of Chifure AS Elfen Saitama and Quinley Quezada of the JEF United Chiba make their reappearance after their last stint in the 2019 SEA Games where all of them scored for the Philippines. Control of the midfield will be crucial to the team’s buildup to launch its counterattack. Veterans Cam Rodriguez and Sara Castañeda along with another returnee, Jessica Miclat of the Aris Limassol in Cyprus, will be providing stability and leadership in the midfield. Manning the backline to support the ladies between the sticks – goalkeepers Inna Palacios, Olivia McDaniel, and newcomer Kiara Fontanilla – are co-captain and longtime national team member Hali Long, Sofia Harrison of Coppermine United in the United Women’s Soccer League in the US, former Marquette University Golden Eagle Ryley Bugay, and former Santa Clara Bronco Morgan Brown. Two new faces are expected to make an immediate impact. These are Katrina Guillou who plays for Piteå IFn in the Damallsvenskan, Sweden’s top division women’s league, and Dominique Randle, a former All Pac-12 3rd team selection for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Rounding out the squad are DLSU’s Anicka Castañeda and Tara Shelton, plus promising teens Malea Cesar, Carleigh Frilles, Keanne Alamo, and Isabella Flanigan. tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/midlife-halftime-pwnft-seek-history/229954
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 21, 2022 10:20:59 GMT 8
Acc. to one of the players chosen Fontanilla, the tryouts for the national team in California was competitive and grueling. "Even with a strong resume, Fontanilla found herself competing for roster spots against the top players of the Philippines. After traveling to California for training on Tuesday, Nov. 9, Fontanilla joined roughly 100 other players seeking a spot on the national team. The ensuing two months of training consisted of gradual roster cuts that left the players constantly on edge. After the roster was trimmed down to about 30 players, Fontanilla found out from her coaches on Jan. 4 that she would be a part of the team traveling to India. “I was super excited,” Fontanilla said. “It was super nerve-wracking because I knew there was only going to be three goalkeepers that could go, but there were six of us at that point.” "Fontanilla noted that seeing players get cut after months of training together and building bonds was a difficult process." Learning curve With experience in Division I soccer and a successful Eastern Oregon program, Fontanilla is used to playing in high-intensity environments. However, the step up to international level training was a significant adjustment for the goalkeeper in her first stint with the national team. “It was definitely a big jump from EOU to here,” Fontanilla said. “EOU is high level and the training is really intense, but the training (for the national team) definitely was super high intensity.” Fontanilla noted that her coaches with the Philippines National Team focused on a change of pace when it came to working on her goalkeeping skills ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup. “It’s really hyper focused on technique. It’s not about quantity, it’s all about quality,” she said. “For me, that was a big change from how I’ve trained growing up. Being able to really focus on that has helped me as a player.” Fontanilla stated that the change from going as fast as she could in drills to slowing down and focusing on accuracy was an adjustment. She said that it took several weeks to acclimate to the new coaching style, but that she feels she has improved noticeably as a player. At the conclusion of training, the Philippines Women’s National Team flew to India on Jan. 12. In an unfortunate turn of events, Fontanilla tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after receiving word that she was selected for the team. Despite concern that she would be unable to compete, Fontanilla was scheduled to fly out and join the team on Jan. 18. “It’s definitely a process,” Fontanilla said of facing yet another obstacle in her soccer career. “If I can’t go, I can’t go. It’s God’s plan. Thankfully all the coaches and trainers have been checking in on me and making sure I’m alright. I feel fine.” www.lagrandeobserver.com/sp...cle_87ac22a8-7593-11ec-b213-77eb2623a242.html
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 21, 2022 19:33:45 GMT 8
Roster
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Post by cjeagle on Jan 21, 2022 19:34:59 GMT 8
Starting roster for the Philippines against Thailand
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