By CARLO ANOLIN
Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic is expecting more crowd in the next couple of games in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championships following their stunning 1-0 win against a taller Australian team on a rainy Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Why? That’s because only close to 1,500 cheering fans showed up in what could be the country’s biggest win at the historic stadium since the PH team stunned a Malaysian squad in the 1991 Manila SEA Games.Still, the Australian coach was elated with the support of die-hard football fans. Still, the Australian coach was elated with the support of die-hard football fans.
“It’s an amazing crowd. To hear the noise full time was amazing,” said Australian mentor Stajcic. “To be really honest, I think this team deserves a full stadium here. I thank everyone who came out and supported the team.
“But I think these players, they meant the heart they showed, they meant the spirit they showed, they deserve this (Rizal Memorial Stadium) to be packed the next four games.”
This was the first time that the national team played on home soil and the Philippines hosted a prestigious football tournament since the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
And there couldn’t be a better present for the supportive crowd but a win on home turf.
Sarina Bolden, who produced the lone goal that turned out to be a winner, for her part, echoed Stajcic’s sentiments and likewise thanked the Filipino fans for gracing Rizal Memorial Stadium despite the drizzle.
“Incredible. We definitely feed up their energy,” said Bolden, who scored a header off an Eva Madarang throw in at the 60th minute mark. “The more people that come out, the better. So thank you so much. Salamat po.”
The Filipinas are up against Singapore, which earlier settled a scoreless draw with Malaysia, on Wednesday, July 6 at the same venue.
Stajcic: Gutsy Filipinas deserves a full stadium
By CARLO ANOLIN
Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic is expecting more crowd in the next couple of games in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championships following their stunning 1-0 win against a taller Australian team on a rainy Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Why? That’s because only close to 1,500 cheering fans showed up in what could be the country’s biggest win at the historic stadium since the PH team stunned a Malaysian squad in the 1991 Manila SEA Games.
Still, the Australian coach was elated with the support of die-hard football fans.
“It’s an amazing crowd. To hear the noise full time was amazing,” said Australian mentor Stajcic. “To be really honest, I think this team deserves a full stadium here. I thank everyone who came out and supported the team.
“But I think these players, they meant the heart they showed, they meant the spirit they showed, they deserve this (Rizal Memorial Stadium) to be packed the next four games.”
This was the first time that the national team played on home soil and the Philippines hosted a prestigious football tournament since the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
And there couldn’t be a better present for the supportive crowd but a win on home turf.
Sarina Bolden, who produced the lone goal that turned out to be a winner, for her part, echoed Stajcic’s sentiments and likewise thanked the Filipino fans for gracing Rizal Memorial Stadium despite the drizzle.
“Incredible. We definitely feed up their energy,” said Bolden, who scored a header off an Eva Madarang throw in at the 59th minute mark. “The more people that come out, the better. So thank you so much. Salamat po.”
The Filipinas are up against Singapore, which earlier settled a scoreless draw with Malaysia, on Wednesday, July 6 at the same venue.
