In the high-level stakes in the world of sports, sometimes it just takes one single moment to change everything.
In the case of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, that moment came when forward Chandler McDaniel broke the deadlock in the 81st minute against Thailand. That kickstarted what became a historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 campaign, culminating in qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2023 hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“Personally, scoring that goal, it’s one of the happiest moments of my life,” said McDaniel. “I just remember jumping up and down and it wasn’t really the prettiest goal but I think it just showed that we have a lot of heart and that we will keep pushing.
“I was super happy to help the team finally fulfill beating (Thailand) because we played them so many times and I think it’s time we got our win.”
In a tournament with so little margin of error such as the Asian Cup, there is no such thing as a day-off.
Players fully understand that their opponents are out to fully get them as it is not only continental bragging rights that are at stake but a safe passage into the World Cup. The victory against the Thais set the tone for a campaign probably no external observer ever imagined would go so well.
“The win gave everyone confidence.
“I think it proved to us that we definitely can compete because you talk about it going in but the first game is the most nerve-wracking. We knew we had to do well. I think just having that win under our belt, just helped us to keep pushing each game. I think it gave everyone the self-confidence to keep going,” said the 24-year-old Norco High School alumna.
The recent Asian Cup was particularly special for McDaniel’s family as she and her sister, goalkeeper Olivia, played key roles in helping the country reach the world stage.
Their father, coach Clint McDaniel, saw to it that they and their sibling, Finn who is signed with Stallion Laguna and part of the national Under-23 team competing in the AFF U-23 Youth Championship 2022 this month, saw to it that the three of them are fully capable of performing on the pitch.
From the three-month training camp in California up to their short post-tournament break in Manila, it has been one fulfilling bonding trip for Chandler and Olivia.
“It’s very special. I think the only people who would know how special it is are the Castaneda sisters because they have each other but being able to go through this experience with her has made it so much better and it just makes it so much easier because there have been so many times when it gets super hard and you start to look down and I know no matter what I have Olivia by my side,” said the 5-foot-7 attacking player out of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“I definitely couldn’t have made it through this tournament without her and I know for the fact she could say the same thing. I think it’s just nice to know that no matter what, you have someone in your corner, and for us, in the games, for example, I was never worried when the ball went back to her because I knew she would handle it and I bet she felt the same way about me being up top that we’d get the win,” she continued.
“I just think that it’s super special and we’ve dreamed about playing for our national team together so for it to actually come true, it is insane. I know that we’re always going to cherish this because we love the opportunity to represent the country.”
Just as Chandler pulled off a massive goal against the Thais, Olivia immortalized herself in Philippine football history when she made two saves and converted a spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Chinese Taipei – which then allowed striker Sarina Bolden to convert in sudden death to bring the Filipinas into the promised land.
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“To be completely honest, I knew (Olivia) was gonna save some and help us win,” said the FC Golden State player. “I had no doubts she’d make a penalty kick. I had no doubts she’d save a penalty kick.
“I was a little shocked she would end up saving two but I had she was gonna do amazing and take us to the win so I believe she got us to the World Cup and we thank her every day for it.”
McDaniel, who suffered a knee injury against South Korea in the semifinals, is set to undergo further analyses to fully diagnose her injury within the week. Despite the anti-climactic end to her individual campaign, she is raring to go back and compete on the pitch.
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“Coach Alen (Stajcic) said that whatever happens, we’ll go figure out a plan and just go from there,” she said. “It may be hard but I know that I’ve been through worse. I’ve had surgeries before. I have Olivia by my side and my parents so I know it will be okay.”
