By NIKOLE JAVIER
Filipinas goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and the rest of the team are looking forward to their Asian Games call-up following a promising World Cup debut.
This time, the Philippine women’s national football team will be competing for the first time in the quadrennial tournament slated in Hangzhou, China next month.
The Nationals have further endeared themselves to a basketball-loving nation after claiming their first-ever World Cup win over New Zealand.
But it won’t be easy, perhaps more challenging after being drawn in Group E.
“The games are all fresh in our minds right now coming off the World Cup. So I think everyone’s taking their time to just refresh, relax, regroup and until the next one [comes] and the federation will contact those who are gonna be coming in for the group and be part of the next tournament. So, at that point, we’ll just be waiting for our call and then go play for our country again,” said McDaniel.
The Filipinas’ mettle will be tested anew against familiar foes in South Korea (No. 17), Myanmar (No. 50) and Hong Kong (No. 78).
Before stepping into the grandest football showpiece in New Zealand, the Filipinas suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Myanmar which put them out of medal contention in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games last May.
A month before the regional tilt, though, the Philippines marched to the second round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament happening this October at the expense of Hong Kong, 4-0.
In January 2022, the Filipinas qualified for their first-ever and the still ongoing World Cup following an epic penalty shootout victory over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup only to be handed a 2-0 loss by South Korea in the semifinals.
“If I’m called, I’m there,” said McDaniel.
Almost all members of the Filipinas are still in the country as their homecoming celebrations continue.
Meanwhile, Olivia together with her sister Chandler are both suiting up for the Stallion Laguna FC as they go against other members of the World Cup group at the PFF Women’s League. The rest of the members then will take off soon for their respective club commitments overseas.
