Filipinas ready to make history at ‘23 FIFA Women’s World Cup

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippine national women’s team known as the Filipinas make their historic debut debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Friday, opening its Group A campaign against Switzerland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand at 5 p.m. (1 p.m., Manila time).

The Philippine squad, ranked no. 53 in the world, is suiting up in the World Cup for the first time like Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam and Zambia.

“We’ve been preparing since the day we qualified. We’ve been lucky,” said Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic in a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Stajcic, who guided Australia to the 2015 Women’s World Cup, has cut down down the squad to its final 23 and had difficulty in doing so.

The Australian coach, who deflected questions on the players’ eligibility and nationality, will have veteran center back Hali Long, along with 34-year-old captain Tahnai Annis in the Filipinas’ offense in the midfield.

“The players are eligible and they all played for flag and country, wherever they reside,” said Stajcic.

Among the veterans expected to deliver for the Filipinas are Isabella Flannigan, Long, Bolden, Annis and goalie Olivia McDaniel.

The 18-year-old Flannigan, a forward, is known for her creative moves and close control, will play side-by side with Sarina Bolden, known as a cold-blooded goalscorer, with instinctive plays inside the box. Long, a center-back, brings in the needed