NO TURNING BACK FOR AMAZING FILIPINAS

their pride and I expect them to come out ghting. They are (former World Cup) champions for a reason. They have a ghtback in them so we have to be ready for that,” Stajcic said after the team’s workout at Olympic Park.

Earlier tipped as group favorites, the celebrated Grasshoppers are in last place with just point following their 0-1 setback to the Ferns here last week and a scoreless standoff to Switzerland in Hamilton last Tuesday.

In contrast, the surprising Filipinas are running third with three points following their 1-0 upset of the Ferns in Wellington, acutely aware that a second straight win guarantees them a place in the knockout round-of-16.

The hosts, who also have three points as Stajcic’s charges but are in second place on goal di erence, battle the pacesetting Swiss in Dunedin simultaneously, with the winner likewise advancing outright into the knockout stage.

The Aussie mentor remained respectful of their formidable foes, saying: “They are former World Cup winners (in 1995), they are former Olympic gold medalists, the pedigree within the country and women’s football is enormous.

“You have a Ballon d’Or winner in Ada Hegerberg, they have players playing at the highest level at Barcelona, who are probably their best players. They may be ranked No. 12 now but they have been in the top 10 for the past 20 to 30 years. They are fantastic.”

He noted that Hegerberg, who pulled out of the game against Switzerland due to a groin injury, could be back in harness “because she’s a champion and she has