Filipinas’ FIFA World Cup bid gets boost

A GOOD scorer has rejoined the Philippine National Women’s Football Team in time for its first game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New Zealand.

Midfielder Quinley Quezada is expected to play a major role for the Filipinas, who are just a few days away from their first game.

The Filipinas have landed in New Zealand landed July 11 and are in a training camp.

“Moving forward, we need to work on how we possess the ball—once we win it, how can we get forward, how can we create more scoring opportunities? I think we just need to work on our possession phase. That’s what we’re looking to do in our upcoming tuneup matches,” said after the 26-year-old Quezada joined the practices last week.

The Filipinas recently absorbed a 1-5 loss to Sweden in their closeddoor friendly that served as one of the team’s final warmup games before the start of the World Cup stint on Friday against Switzerland.

“It was a great learning experience. Sweden is very good and highly ranked. They’re a great squad. Right now we’re using that time to see how we do against tough opposition. I think right now our defense is really, really strong,” added Quezada on Zoom after the game.

Quezada plays as a forward for Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian Women’s Super League.

The Rosemead, California-born Quezada there has seen growth in the team since they have started camp. But the coaching staff, led by Allen Stajcic believes that there are things that they need to improve on. Peter Atencio

JACKIE Buntan is hungry for revenge as she tries to take the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship from Smilla “The Hurricane” Sundell at ONE Fight Night 14 on September 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

It’s a chance for redemption for the Fil-Am fighter after losing to Sundell for the inaugural Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World last year, as she got outpointed by the lanky Swede at ONE 156: Eersel vs Sadikovic.

Now a year wiser, Buntan is motivated to prove that she belongs among the marquee as she will be part of a heavy allfemale quadruple main event with three world championships up for grabs. Reeling off the decision loss to Sundell, Buntan rebounded in a big way, starting with her impressive three-round drubbing of Amber Kitchen in front of her relatives and friends in the Philippines late last year. She then showed up in her home country, knocking out Diandra Martin in the first round to claim the first KO win in her ONE career.

Buntan and Sundell beef up a historic night for ONE which puts the spotlight on the amazing female athletes in the promotion. In the main event, ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix Champion Stamp Fairtex tangles with Ham “Hamzzang” Seo Hee for the ONE Interim Atomweight World Title. Grappling star Danielle Kelly and Asian Games gold medallist Jessa Khan are also set to meet for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Championship, while ONE Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan and Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak lock horns in a Special Rules Striking Match.