Filipinas eye training camp, friendlies heading to World Cup

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine women’s football team is heading for a training camp in Australia or New Zealand to tighten its preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.

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The Philippine women’s football team is heading for a training camp in Australia or New Zealand as part of its preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.

Taking the lessons from their early exit in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, the Filipinas are looking to stage some surprises in the global meet.

The Philippines was drawn in Group A with FIFA’s higher ranked powerhouse teams in co-host nation New Zealand (No. 25), Norway (No. 12) and Switzerland (No. 25).

Some members of the Philippine women's national football team during the unveiling of their Adidas game kits for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. (PWNFT)

Due to schedule conflicts and club commitment of the players, no friendlies will be taking place in the Philippines.

“We’re trying to get everybody together around the middle of June. So maybe a camp in Australia or somewhere near New Zealand already to get them acclimatized and be ready for the World Cup,” said team manager Jeff Chang during the unveiling of the Filipinas’ Philippine flag-inspired Adidas game kits on Tuesday, May 16, at the BGC ampitheater.

Team captain Hali Long, who scored the final goal in their 3-1 win against eventual champion Vietnam, remained optimistic once they head to their historic maiden World Cup appearance.

“We lost to Myanmar and then we beat Vietnam. We just always wanna be better than we were in the previous game. And we will continue to do that up until the World Cup. And even past the World Cup. We have Asian Games round two,” said Long.

“We really need to just keep leveling up our game. I know the World Cup is the biggest thing we’re gonna do this year but it’s definitely not the last of like the Filipinas,” she added.

The Philippines missed out on the SEAG medal due to an inferior goal differential in the group stage, but confidence has never wavered for the team as they eye bigger prospects and better finishes moving forward to the second half of their busy year.

“There’s still lots of confidence in the team. Sometimes, it’s the breaks of the game, but we’ll continue to see how we can further improve and be more consistent,” said Chang.