With the 2022 AFF U-23 Youth Championship set to kick-off next week, members of the Philippines National Under-23 Men’s Football Team are motivated to prove themselves worthy of representing the senior team down the line.
One player in the squad, midfielder Griffin McDaniel, will arguably attract more attention than most in the lineup considering that he has a family name to live up to now after his sisters, Olivia and Chandler, played key roles in helping the Philippines qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup thanks to their fine performances in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
“Preparations for the tournament are going great,” commented the 21-year-old Norco High School alumnus. “As a team, we always have only one goal in mind – win.
“This group of players is hungry to prove themselves and has taken the time here very seriously.”
Up against the likes of host nation Cambodia, Brunei, and Timor Leste in Group A, the Filipinos look to enter the knockouts for the first time in history.
They also hope to redeem themselves after a disappointing 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification campaign last year in Singapore that saw them compile losses to South Korea, Singapore, and Timor Leste.
“The coaching staff has been exceptional. Coach Stewart Hall has done a very good job at expressing the type of play and expectations for all players and the staff has acclimated to this just as easily as the players,” said McDaniel.
“With his expertise and talent followed by a squad full of heart and drive, anything is possible. This team is determined and hungry from what I’ve seen and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
It is not so long ago that McDaniel’s siblings enjoyed their own heroic moments while representing the country in the recently-concluded Asian Cup.
(C) AFC
Chandler, who mainly played an attacking role, had hers when she scored the goal that sunk Thailand in the opener.
(C) AFC
Olivia, meanwhile, almost single-handedly dragged the nation to the World Cup with two saves and a converted spot-kick against Chinese-Taipei in the quarter-finals.
Amidst all of these circumstances, the Stallion-Laguna player just wants to focus on the task at hand. Winning is the only thing that matters while playing for the Philippines and doing so at the level just beneath the seniors makes it all the more imperative to do so.
Photo from PFL
“Me and my sisters are always in touch. We are a very close-knit family so there are not many times we aren’t talking. In all honesty, I’m very proud of everything they accomplished with the women’s team, however during this period of time there are only three people I talk to while being focused on camp: my team and staff, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my first-ever coach and biggest supporter, my dad (Clint),” said the former California Baptist University student-athlete.
“My sisters know when it’s game time, I do not talk to anyone outside my camp but my dad because he has been with me from the beginning to now and I owe all my success and drive to him. He gave me everything I needed to play and succeed as a fan and most importantly as a coach and mentor. You can find me every day on the phone with him after practice and my sisters would always agree to that,” he continued.
“I’m very eager to make history with this team. It’s always an honor representing my country and everyone else here can say the same thing. The team is ready and capable to win games while competing at a high level. We are motivated and ready to make a statement starting the 14th (against Timor Leste). I personally will do everything in my power to make my country proud.”
In the past two editions of this competition, the Philippines has only won one match, a 4-1 drubbing against Timor Leste with legendary Chieffy Caligdong as one of the goalscorers, lost five matches, and conceded a total of 13 goals. McDaniel is eager to help his teammates, and their coaches arrest that bad record and there is plenty of motivation for him to do so.
“This tournament is one thing especially for me – a statement. I’ve been playing professionally for not very long, but I want to prove myself anywhere I go, whether it is for the club or for the country. I of course want to perform exceptionally and showcase myself as not only an attacking threat but a player to rely on,” said the California native.
“My goal is to be the best player I can be and show that to the world, no matter where I play. Since I first started playing me and my family were always told we’d never make it or never amount to anything, but look at us now. As for my sisters, they are heroes. For myself, I have played division one football in the US and now playing professionally in the Philippines. I can guarantee you that my career is just getting started.”
