By CARLO ANOLIN
The Philippines faces a herculean task of keeping its record pristine as it takes on the dangerous Thailand side Tuesday in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Match is set at 7 p.m. with the Filipinas going for their fifth straight win that will make them the top seeded squad in their group.
If that happens, the Filipinas will have a lighter assignment in the semis as they will face the No. 2 seed of the other group. A draw is enough for Filipinas to secure the No. 1 seed.
The game is likewise a make or break for the Thais (10 points) since Australia has the opportunity of catching them up.
In other games at the same time, Australia (2-1-1) faces Malaysia (0-2-2) at the City of Imus Grandstand in Cavite while Indonesia (0-1-3) tackles Singapore (0-1-3) at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Leading Group B are Myanmar (2-0-0) and reigning champion Vietnam (2-0-0) with six points apiece, Laos (1-1-1) garnered four points, Cambodia (0-1-2) has one point, while Timor-Leste (0-0-2) has yet to get a single point.
With crucial placings at stake, Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic hopes for more hometown support at the Rizal Memorial Stadium especially heading into the knockout stage as only the top two teams will advance.
“As I’ve been saying all week. We want this place (Rizal Stadium) rocking. We want it full. The bigger the crowd and atmosphere, the bigger we have a chance of winning,” said Stajcic after the Filipina booters scored a 4-1 comeback win against Indonesia last July 10 behind the hat trick of Sarina Bolden and a goal from Tahnai Annis
“That is the point of having home ground advantage so I implore everyone to support the team, to support their nation and really help us get over the line.”
While all eyes will be on Bolden following the hat trick en route to 14 overall goals as national team member, the likes of Annis, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, and Isabella Flanigan, among others, remain a force be reckoned with in the Philippines’ side.
Stajcic noted the depth the team has as of now, citing having different scorers from the past few games as the hunt continues for the final roster in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
“It doesn’t matter to me who scores the goals as long as we’re in a good position to score them,” said the Australian tactician.
‘Let’s rock’ as Filipinas battle dangerous Thais at RMFS
By CARLO ANOLIN
The Philippines faces a herculean task of keeping its record pristine as it takes on the dangerous Thailand side Tuesday in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Match is set at 7 p.m. with the Filipinas going for their fifth straight win that will make them the top seeded squad in their group.
If that happens, the Filipinas will have a lighter assignment in the semis as they will face the No. 2 seed of the other group. A draw is enough for Filipinas to secure the No. 1 seed.
The game is likewise a make or break for the Thais (10 points) since Australia has the opportunity of catching them up.
In other games at the same time, Australia (2-1-1) faces Malaysia (0-2-2) at the City of Imus Grandstand in Cavite while Indonesia (0-1-3) tackles Singapore (0-1-3) at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Leading Group B are Myanmar (2-0-0) and reigning champion Vietnam (2-0-0) with six points apiece, Laos (1-1-1) garnered four points, Cambodia (0-1-2) has one point, while Timor-Leste (0-0-2) has yet to get a single point.
With crucial placings at stake, Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic hopes for more hometown support at the Rizal Memorial Stadium especially heading into the knockout stage as only the top two teams will advance.
“As I’ve been saying all week. We want this place (Rizal Stadium) rocking. We want it full. The bigger the crowd and atmosphere, the bigger we have a chance of winning,” said Stajcic after the Filipina booters scored a 4-1 comeback win against Indonesia last July 10 behind the hat trick of Sarina Bolden and a goal from Tahnai Annis
“That is the point of having home ground advantage so I implore everyone to support the team, to support their nation and really help us get over the line.”
While all eyes will be on Bolden following the hat trick en route to 14 overall goals as national team member, the likes of Annis, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, and Isabella Flanigan, among others, remain a force be reckoned with in the Philippines’ side.
Stajcic noted the depth the team has as of now, citing having different scorers from the past few games as the hunt continues for the final roster in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
“It doesn’t matter to me who scores the goals as long as we’re in a good position to score them,” said the Australian tactician.
