AUCKLAND — A new cycle is about to unfold for the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, now that Alen Stajcic and his lieutenants have signed with Isuzu UTE A-League side Perth Glory.
The Filipinas experienced unprecedented heights during Stajcic’s tenure. They reached the final four of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, clinched a bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, won the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship on home soil, and defeated the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts, New Zealand.
Stajcic and his staff evidently love a challenge, as they have signed with Perth Glory, a club that finished ninth during the past season and is currently facing ownership issues. However, for the Filipinas, it is back to square one as they await news on who will be appointed as Stajcic’s successor.
“I think as long as we keep our core values the same, we remain together as a group, as a family — it doesn’t matter who our coaching staff is. We’re gonna be able to accomplish the same goals that we set out,” said defender Sofia Harrison.
“Obviously, we’re really grateful for the coaches. I think we can all agree that we credit a lot of where we got to in the last 18 months to them,” said forward Chandler McDaniel.
“I think with that being said, we wish them luck in whatever they’re doing next, and they left us with a great foundation, something to build off. But even before they were in, the core values of this team have remained constant through them all. I think we’ll maintain those regardless of where our coaching goes in the future.”
The Filipinas’ World Cup campaign has no doubt revitalized football in the country. The next few months shall see the team compete in the Asian Games in China and the Olympic qualifiers in Australia.
Expectations and attention are now higher for the team after its debut on the world stage. Amidst the additional pressure, the players are highly motivated to win each match and test themselves against high-profile opposition.
“Honestly, it’s amazing. It’s incredible to see the support that we’ve been getting. It just grew from when we first qualified for this tournament and then leading up to the World Cup. I just really, really hope that it continues, and it not only keeps continuing for our team. I hope it translates into other sports,” said attacking midfielder Quinley Quezada.
“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure, but definitely as a group and as a team, we want to keep building on the momentum that we have. We want to keep bettering ourselves, taking on tougher opponents, and keep progressing,” said forward Katrina Guillou.
Competing in the World Cup or any other major competition, for that matter, is addicting. While the next edition is still four years from now, everyone is targeting a return to the world stage.
A lot of things will definitely happen from now until then. It is up to the players, the team’s management, the Philippine Football Federation, and the future coaching staff to ensure that this is not a one-off event.
“The goal, obviously, is to take the steps necessary to qualify for the next World Cup,” said McDaniel. “Now that we’ve been to one, I definitely think we’re hungrier to go to another one and do even better than the first time.
“I think all the girls are willing to do whatever steps necessary and do more than what we did last time to ensure that we’re prepared to do even better in the next World Cup.”
