The results of the draw for the next round of qualifiers to the 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament were announced on Wednesday at the AFC headquarters in Malaysia.
The Philippines breezed through the previous round of qualifying. The Malditas notched wins over Singapore, Tajikistan, and Mongolia, before succumbing to their only loss against Chinese Taipei.
The second round will take place from April 1 to 9 later this year; and pits the Filipinas against Chinese Taipei again, together with Iran and hosts Palestine. Only the group winner advances to the final round.
Far Eastern University’s Let Dimzon – who continues to lead the Philippine Women’s National Football Team and is finalizing the training program – was surprised to see the 40th-ranked Chinese Taipei in the same bracket again.
“Nung nakita ko ulit Chinese Taipei… Parang challenge kasi yung last game against them. Medyo hindi maganda yung result [losing 0-5]. Yes, alam na namin ang system of play ng Chinese Taipei, pero titingnan natin ngayon anong ginawa nila since then, at paano namin paghahandaan iyon,” she said.
Dimzon is also wary of 60th-ranked Iran and 106th-ranked Palestine, which she has yet to scout. The Philippines, currently ranked 74th, last met Iran in 2013. They beat the Central Asians 6-0.
Members who featured in the first round last November are expected to rejoin the squad, along with foreign-based players invited by the Philippine Football Federation. With football season of the UAAP around the corner, Dimzon finds it both a blessing and a curse.
“Advantage for the local players dahil [fit sila], pero ang titingnan naman diyan ay injuries and then yung availability ng players, kung sino yung ire-release ng school. For the overseas-based players, I will also need to adjust kasi mayroon siguradong players na hindi ko pa familiar,” she added.
The PWNFT are set to begin training at Rizal Memorial Stadium next week.
