More hard work up for gritty Filipinas in the New Year

Alen Stajcic has experienced being part of some of the biggest football competitions in the world. However, he feels that it pales in comparison to what he has done for the Philippine women’s soccer team.

“This is probably the best experience, I think, in my career,” said Stajcic, a veteran coach from Australia, after he led the Philippines to a historic place in the FIFA (Federation of International Football) Women’s World Cup.

Stajcic’s seat wasn’t hot last February when the Philippines qualified for the biggest festival in women’s soccer by defeating Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup in India.

This is a feat that no Philippine national soccer team-even at the senior or youth level- has ever accomplished until the dramatic win that proves that hard work and commitment to the moon can pay off.

“I think everyone can finally see that the investment is paying off,” said Camille Rodriguez, who has seen the team grow from minnows to contenders at the Asian level.

Rodriguez may have played little in a year to remember, but he was happy to see his squad also validate World Cup qualification with breakthrough performances in a year they will never forget.

His class opposition

The Philippines also took bronze at the Asian Games, its first in 36 years, before hosting the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship in front of home fans at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

They spent the rest of the year holding camps overseas, facing top-flight nations New Zealand, Costa Rica and Chile to mixed results.

Several players emerged as stars during the run, notably Sarina Bolden was a talismanic hero, Olivia McDaniel was a reliable stopper between the sticks, Hali Long provided stability at the back and Sara Eggesvik was a revelation in midfield.

The success has also led to a changing of the guard in the Philippine football scene, with the Philippines capturing the imagination of supporters of the beautiful game.

In contrast, the Azkals, who 12 years ago brought a renaissance to the sport with the upset of Vietnam, suffered a swoon after missing out on a place in the Asian Cup and a semi-final place in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

“I’m glad to be able to make an attitude and really show people what we’re all about,” said Bolden, whose eight goals during the AFF tournament established himself as perhaps the main figure in the Philippine squad.

There are many reasons for Stajcic to be reflective as 2022 closes. But he also knows that he and the team will have to push themselves to another level with preparations for the World Cup ramping up ahead of the July 2023 competition.

“We know we have achieved a lot, but there is a mountain to climb before the World Cup and we know there is much more to improve in preparation for the World Cup,” Stajcic said.

“It’s been a great year, we put it in our back pocket and are proud of our efforts and give ourselves a pat on the back because we really got a good result. But the fact is we know how much we have to work hard to climb that mountain [this] year.” INQ

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