After the Asian Games, it is time to look ahead towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers. Among those in contention is the Philippine Women’s National Football Yeam. The PWNFT will face Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, Singapore, and Tajikistan for the first round of Asian Qualifiers.
Leading preparations will be Far Eastern University’s Let Dimzon, who returns to head coaching duties as per the Philippine Football Federation. She takes over the spot vacated by Buda Bautista, who is unable to continue due to scheduling conflicts.
Dimzon last took charge at the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur last year. However, she was on board as assistant coach to Bautista in the AFF Women’s Championship in Palembang, Indonesia last July where the team notched a win, a draw, and two losses.
“It is up to Coach Let to form the team,” said PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “The team will be composed of those playing here and playing abroad. What is important is that we surpass the first round of qualifiers.”
Initial preparations are already underway, as Dimzon is inspecting players called up from various collegiate teams, apart from the existing pool of players who have already appeared in international tournaments this year. The PFF has also promised that the preparation will not interfere with the ongoing PFF Women’s League in which most players are also participating.
“Training will start this September for all local players, then by October we’ll be expecting the US-based players. Ang plan is may tuneup matches every weekend,” Dimzon said.
Regarding the competition the Philippines will be facing in the Qualifiers, Dimzon is confident of the Philippines’ chances against certain teams – namely Singapore, which the team has beaten 3-0 at the recent AFF tournament.
“Teams like Tajikistan and Singapore, we’ve beaten them before so I think kakayanin natin ito kasi top two ang kukunin to qualify for the second round. Taiwan yung pinakamalakas, I heard they won against Vietnam at the Asian Games,” she added.
Dimzon may have replaced Bautista for the time being but she assures that she will still be on board to help with preparations.
“Tutulong pa rin siya sa team, kasama siya sa staff.”
