With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team have another tough test ahead of their debut on the sport’s biggest stage.
In a draw held this afternoon held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas for the upcoming 2022 AFF Women’s Championship, the Filipinas were put in Group A alongside Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
“Looking forward to playing in front of our home fans and against the best teams in South-East Asia. Another great opportunity for this team to be tested so that we can learn, grow and improve,” said coach Alen Stajcic.
However, it is not clear as to whether Australia will send its strongest side or the youth team directly below it as seen in the 2018 edition when the country reached the final with its under-20 squad.
Just like in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the recently-concluded 31st Southeast Asian Games, the Filipinas hope to make further history.
Their highest-ever standing was a fourth-placed finish back in the 2019 edition after failing to make it past the group stages nine times in a row.
The tournament, which shall be the 12th edition in its history, will be hosted by the Philippines this July.
The matches shall be held at the Biñan Stadium in Laguna and the Imus Grandstand in Cavite.
Vietnam will enter as the defending champions as they emerged victorious last time around over Thailand in the previous edition.
